Must-Haves for elementary school library website

[Julie Sloup]

I am in the process of changing over my classroom website to the library website. Our district uses SchoolCenter, so I'm restricted to what is available from them. I would like a list of "must have" features for my site. Any suggestions from all you experienced people would be greatly appreciated!

Julie

[Richard Beaudry]

Hi Julie,

A lot of the members of the Teacher Librarian Network have posted their websites. Many are quite useful with lots of interesting resources as well as Web 2.0 technology. I would start looking there.

I would suggest that you add some information Information Literacy skills that your students will need to learn. I would add some Web 2.0 tools. Some database Widgets that Joyce Valenza describes in her discussion would be useful for the older kids.

I would also add some information on Internet Safety. Parents appreciate this.

Richard

[Fran Bullington]

Julie,

Joyce has a great list in Power Tools Recharged: 125+ Essential Forms and Presentations for Your School Library Information Program (2004). You'll find the list on p. 1-26A and 1-26B.
I took a course last summer in which we had to create a library website. We used this webquest created by Joyce:
http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/evallib.html
We had to include information for the different groups who might use our site including students, teachers, parents, and community. I also included (and need to work on) a page for media specialists.

Fran