There are media centers across the nation with and without web pages. However, those that have one are not all created equal. Some have too little information, while others have too much. With this said, a good website is an important networking tool for media programs. As media specialists look to serve their schools efficiently, creating an attractive, relevant website should be on the list of many “to dos”. Creating and maintaining a website is a major step in public relations and marketing. Therefore, these tips will serve as a PR starting point for creating an amazing webpage to market your school media center. For starters, I found this article, which highlights the need for media center public relations by Kathy Schrock, titled The ABCs of marketing: Promoting your Library Media Center is a Necessity viewable at http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA332671.html.
So why worry about “PR” for the media center? If you build it, they will come, right? Well, maybe, but the right public relations and networking certainly add more value to media programs in times of budget cuts. Therefore, creating and maintaining a website is essential to school media centers for several reasons. First school media centers can use web sites as an introduction to the media center, while highlighting its mission to the school and community. Next, a good website serves as an interface or one-stop-shop for external curriculum relevant resources for staff and students. Additionally, websites can be used as an internal publisher of the good works of students as it relates to information literacy and the curriculum. Last, but certainly not least, a good media center website can be used as a data resource for staff and students. A website would not take the place of the media specialist, however, it can be utilized for direct access to information to engage students in real world problem solving, while providing a vehicle of instructional and learning support for parents and school staff. For more information related to website building and its potential for schools/media centers, visit the following website.
http://eduscapes.com/sessions/brick/index.htm
In closing, websites are not new in this technology age. However, with the many technology tools out there, this is a great time for media specialists to develop or even modify their websites in an effort to be more efficient, while maximizing collaboration and public relations in the media center program. I would recommend glancing at other media program websites to be abreast of trends and ideas. In addition, while developing a website may be easy for most, we must keep in mind, a website is a public domain and care must be taken to ensure goals of accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, one final tidbit for an amazing website involves the evaluation of your and any other website viewed. Please reference Kathy Schrock’s article, “The ABCs of Website Evaluation” downloadable at http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/pdf/weval.pdf.
Additional Resources regarding websites for Media Specialists
http://kathyschrock.net/eval/index.htm
A lesson plan regarding critical evaluation of a web page for: Grades 6-8:
http://kathyschrock.net/abceval/teacherwebeval.pdf
A website evaluation and internet lesson plan guide for teachers and the user can type into and save information on this form!
http://www.wigglebits.com/
A web resource on building a school website!
http://www.ala.org/oif/iftoolkits/internet
An ALA toolkit link to use for the education, information and promotion of the library media program
P. Marion,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You are so right that the perfect website doesn’t have too much or too little information. I think it can be difficult to find the best balance. It’s also true that a good website serves as a networking tool. You suggested approaching the school library media center website from the mindset of a person in public relations might best serve the needs of the patrons. Wouldn’t it be amazing if education had the budget to actually hire PR’s for this purpose!
I like the three functions that you reported a media webpage should incorporate. First, the webpage should serve as an introduction for the media center. Second, the webpage should be a one stop shop of relevant resources for students and staff. And, finally, the webpage should serve as a data resource for students and staff.
Thanks for the great tips. They will come in handy when creating the media page with my group!