10. The Media Center web page should have its own direct link from the
school home page. No one wants to be searching by way of “enrichment” or “staff
blogs”, etc. to find the Media Center page. The media center should be the focal point of
the school. BE THE FOCAL POINT OF THE SCHOOL!
9. Learn to love and provide a link to Tumble Books! Most school districts or schools subscribe to these, or something similar. They are great audio or read along books. These are soooo easy to use at home or at
school, and, another fun way to promote reading!
8. You need advocates. You need
supporters. You need parents who will rally for you. Post some articles on your
website that will appease them. Articles such as this one will give you job
security:
7. Make some noise! Add some audio (and/or visual) to your website in the
form of a media center tour or maybe even a book talk! Better yet, introduce
yourself by audio or video. Keeping things at a personal level will keep the media
center from being an intimidating place.
6. Reference website links such as for Grolliers or World Book World
Atlas are highly encouraged. Parents will love your for providing an easy
starting point for research work for their children.
5. Talk up Cobb Virtual Library and be sure to post a link on your site.
It’s a fantastic tool. Tip: you should have the password in safe keeping and
not plastered on your website.
4. Promote new materials. Maybe even post a student review or
recommendation on your new materials.
3. Create some Pathfinders and post them somewhere on your website. A
Pathfinder is a research tool that is a subject specific source for posting a
variety of print and nonprint resources such as books, articles, reference
materials, web sites, or multimedia such as videos all on one research subject.
2. Give accolades where accolades are due! Newberry, Caldecott, Printz…these
are just a few literary awards given out every year. Post these winners on your
site.
And, the #1 thing to know about a Media Center Web Page…
When it’s February or so, be sure you have
updated your blog since the first day of school. Better to not have one at all
rather than look like you can’t handle even the most basic update now and then.
I enjoyed your Top 10 List, I made note of the ones which stood out to me and why: #3 by creating Pathfinders and posting them to your site everyone can navigate successfully. #2 giving accolades is great for parents to take notice when shopping for summer reads for students. Students can also know what’s hot and what’s not by shearing this list. Lastly, #5 is a must; keep the county library involved in all you do. The idea is to make sure your page is easy to navigate and it is student friendly. It seems you covered all the areas in your Top 10 List. Everything on your list was on point and having parents involved is also another one which stood out to me and a go. Thanks for the check off list.
ReplyDeleteYes! When I visit a school's web page and find it's hit-or-miss to try to locate the media center's site, I know that the media center is not considered to be a priority - should be a red flag for the media specialist! I also believe that the logo links make it easier for the users to see what is available.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing worse than viewing a blog decorated with Christmas trees in May! It is hard to keep on top of everything, but better to call in a volunteer to update your blog if need be rather than risk it being completely ignored.
I love your Top 10 List! Your number 10 is on point, because the Media Center should be the hub of a school. Your numbers 7 and 4 are great reminders to let the voice of the Media Center be heard. When I get new books in I make a special announcement during the morning announcements and I have started a program where the students make recommendations on books they have read during morning announcements. I believe your Top Ten List makes great points and gives ideas for my media center.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Kim! I especially love number seven, your quote of "Keeping things at a personal level will keep the media center from being an intimidating place". This seems like a no brainer to me, what a great way to be able to introduce yourself to parents who just can't come in to the Library. I think it is so important for a media specialist to show a little personality. Librarians have made a drastic change in the last two decades, you guys are much more technology savvy, younger and dare I say HIP. I really believe students especially younger students are getting more and more excited about reading and researching because of this change. Parents need to realize that this "computer thing" is not just a phase that will soon die out, and the more education they can get from you on it the more comfortable they will be. Why not be personable on your website? Let parents in, so they can understand how important the media center is to their children.
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your post. It is very reader friendly. It's right down to the point, well points, and not only has great information for media specialists, but others as well. Point number 10 is spot on with the media center page having its own link. I am in charge of creating and keeping up with our school's website, and I made sure the media center has its own link. It doesn't require any searching. It is listed with all the rest of the important information. It makes me wonder if the person in charge of creating the website doesn't really care about the media center, then they make it as hard as possible to find a direct link to it. Your last point hits the nail on the head. It drives me insane when people take the time to create a great start up webpage, then don't ever revisit the page to keep it updated. That is the whole point of having a website.