Research: Content: Informational Materials
Website are often filled with administrative paperwork such as policy statements. Other websites focus on providing links to resources found on the web. Although both of these materials are important, quality information may also include original projects. Ask yourself: what unique materials and information could you share with the world? What's not available on other websites that you could contribute?
Background Information
About Library. Many library websites have a page that contains background information about the library. Look for information about the library name, mission, philosophy, and history. Many sites link to related agencies or departments. They may also contain updates such as information about construction or gifts.
Go to Columbus Metropolitan Library and Allen County Public Library. Explore information about their library.
Disclaimer. Your website should contain a statement of content responsibility. Normally the statement indicates that the library is not responsible for the content of external links. It might also include information about acceptable use of resources and use of filters.
Go to the Internet Acceptable Use Statement from the Baltimore County Public Library for an example of an acceptable use policy.
Frequently Asked Questions. Many online libraries contain a section called FAQs that provide the answers to frequently asked questions. These question and answer pages can focus on issues related to center services (i.e., circulation, renewals, facilities hours) or explore common reference questions.
Go to FAQs from Washington-Centerville Public Library for an example of FAQs.
Geographic Information. You'd be surprised how often libraries don't identify where they are located. For example, they might not include area codes or zip codes. Although many of your users may be local and know how to find your library, Others may be new to the community or visiting from somewhere else in the world. Be sure to include your location, address, directions and/or a map.
Go to Richland County Public Library. What resources do they provide in terms of geographic information?
People. Who works at your library? Who are the volunteers? People enjoy learning more about the personnel. Information about personnel also assists users in determining who to contact. Include information about personnel, board members, positions, responsibilities, and when possible photographs showing happy, productive librarians and patrons.
Go to Meet the Reference Staff at Wheaton Public Library and Teen Advisory Book from Washington-Centerville Public Library. Notice their staff and teen board selections.
Virtual Tour. If you can't visit the place face-to-face, it's nice to go on a virtual tour. For example, you can explore a center through photos, text, and/or audio and video. Also consider virtual tours of local areas in your community such as parks, museums, and historic sites. Consider partnering with a local community group or school.
Go to Links to Virtual Library Tours. This page links to many virtual library tours.
Go to Cowan Pottery Museum from Rocky River Public Library for an example of a library partnership.
News Issues, and Information
Blogs. Blogs have become a popular way to provide current information and a discussion forum for patrons.
Go to the CHS Library Booktalk Blog.
Current Events. From announcements to library news it's important to maintain a current events aspect to your website. Also consider links to local news as well as global news sources.
Go to Denver Public Library and notice their news highlights on the front page.
Go to Fairfax County Calendar and explore their online calendar.
Issues. Intellectual freedom, copyright, citing sources, and plagiarism are just a few of the issues important to libraries. You may wish to include resources related to these topics.
Go to the Library of Congress and check out the Copyright Office.
Materials and Resources
Directories and Resource Guides. Many libraries provide directories and resource guides including reference links, kids links, organizations, and search tools. As you explore websites, notice how these materials are presented. How are they organized and annotated?
Electronic Books. E-books have become popular resources in many libraries. Your library may simply have information about e-books and links to online resources. Or, you may actually circulate e-books.
Go to Ebooks from Naperville Public Libraries and Clevnet from Cleveland Public Library. Explore their online book services.
Electronic Databases. A wide variety of electronic databases are now available online. Although some of these resources are available to all users, many have licensing restrictions. For example, their use may be limited to in-library use or they may allow home access within a certain area or online service. Some libraries require patrons to use their library card number and password to access electronic databases.
Some libraries are creating original databases using locally obtained information such as historical documents or photographs.
Go to Columbus Metropolitan Library Databases and explore their reference options and top ten databases.
Government and Local Resources. Local, state/provincial, national, world information can be found at many online libraries.
Go to Voter's Guide from Columbus Metropolitan Library and Local History - Genealogy from St. Charles Public Library for examples.
Online Catalog. Access to print, electronic, visual, audio, and video resources is provided by a web-based catalog. In some areas, patrons can even order materials through the web for home delivery.
Go to WebCat from Allen County Public Library and Library Catalog from Multnomah County Public Library.
Periodicals. Many online libraries provide annotated lists of print and electronic newspapers, journals, and magazines. Some even provide links to magazines or access to electronic subscriptions.Like electronic databases, some of these materials are restricted to local library users through password access.
Go to Magazines Online from Multnomah County Public and Magazine and Newspaper Collection from Naperville Public Libraries. Explore their selections.
Reference. Many people use the library to answer reference questions. Many websites provide annotated list of online and print resources for information, data, and statistics.
Go to Databases and Reference Tools from Santa Clara Public Library. Do you think the way they have organized their online collection?
Resources. Online libraries often provide lists and guides to traditional resources (i.e., audiobooks, videos, CDs, books).
Go to Audio/Video Room from Wheaton Public Library and Audiovisual from Carmel Clay Public Library. How would these resources assist online users?
Go to the Audiobooks from Charlotte & Mecklenburg County Public Library.
Go to the Oregon Digital Library Consortium Library2Go.
Special Collections. Photographs; virtual field trips and museums; audio and video collections are just a few examples of the types of online special collections available through libraries. These collections are often partnerships with local community members and museums.
Go to National Agricultural Library and explore their collections.
Go to the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library from Duke University.
Go to the University of Washington Libraries Digital Colletions.
Subject Guides. Many libraries provide starting points for topics related to specific groups (i.e., children, teens, teachers, librarians). These resources may be lists of resources or whole sections of a website devoted to a particular group such as kids or teens.
Go to Guides from Multnomah County Library. Notice how they are organized by subject.
Pathfinders
Pathfinders are starting points and study guides for topics that include print and electronic (i.e., web, audio, video) resources. Hotlists use "higher order thinking skills". Don't just ask students to go to the site and write down facts. Design activities that ask students to analyze information and make decisions.
Rather than just providing one site, you may wish to provide a series of sites for a particular project. Carefully select sites that provide insights into particular aspects of the project, then develop activities to go with each site. It's also a good idea to provide a brief description of each site along with the activity so students know what to look for in the site. Get students involved with the development of your pages.
Go to Student Guides from Lakewood Public Library. Explore their pathfinders.
Go to 42explore. Explore examples of how hotlists can be organized.
Activities
Treasure hunts, subject samplers, and WebQuests get students involved with information they find on the Internet. Hunts focus on using specific sites to answer questions. Learn more about the formats at Filamentality. In some cases, they ask students to search the Internet to answer questions on a particular topic or range of topics rather than providing specific sites. African American Treasure Hunt includes information, questions, and links associated with African American studies.
WebQuests require more planning, but also involve students in the highest levels of thinking. The project could include an overview, guidelines, questions, links, and a chance to write, create a product, or answer questions. The Searching for China WebQuest helps students understand life in China. The web page contains an introduction, task, process, resources, learning advice, conclusion, and dictionary.
Go to WebQuests from Teacher Tap. Explore examples of webquest as a format for an inquiry-based activity.
Go to Identify Content for Your Class Page. Explore the resources and possibilities