Research will continue

Consider and reflect on your research experience and share your thoughts with the learning group.

-Assignment 3, LIBE 477B, UBC

Image from pixabay.com

Having done a lot of reading, I still don’t feel my research on this topic is finished. I located 5 resources that connected to my interest in school library websites. The two most academic shared a generally critical attitude toward most current school library websites (Chow et al, 2016) or school websites in general (Hartshorne et al, 2008) and came up with a list of ways to improve the look, structure and content. The lists both websites provided are helpful and backed by a plethora of other research listed in the articles. In contrast, Jacubowicz’s 2022 blog post was limited to recommending specific content.

I found less information on how younger students use the library website than on how teenagers use library websites. Since I work in elementary schools, I would like to read more about how younger students use websites.

The other issue with my research is that it is dated. In their 2016 article, Chow et al. cite research from the late 2000s. Technology changes so quickly that information about website use from 15 years ago may have limited relevance today. I will continue to keep my eyes open for more current sources.

Key learnings from Hartshorne et al., (2008):

• Talk to the stakeholders (students, parents, teachers, admin, IT department) before and while designing the website. This creates buy-in and makes sure the website accounts for needs of all groups.
• Seeing student work online is motivating for students. Only 20% of school websites do this. This is an area that could be improved.

Key learnings from Chow et al. (2016):

• When designing a child-focused library website,
• Keep it simple, with easy vocabulary and lots of graphics. Minimize text.
• Keep it playful, with lots of interactions so visiting children can “leave a footprint” (Chow et al, 2016, Table 3). Use comforting images, sounds, and allow personalization
• Use bright colours, mascots, fun names, and graphics.
• Many school library websites are built using adult preferences for organization. This is a mistake.
• Children are less likely to seek specific information in an organized way compared to adults.

Key learnings from Jacubowicz (2022):

• When creating a school library website,
• High priority: TL photo and contact info, link to catalog 
• Middle priority: Library Policies and Procedures, information about how to do research, passwords, curriculum links 
• Lower priority: student work, class schedule, info on clubs, social media links

Key learnings from Kincaid (2023):

• Including a blog provides a great space to share student work

I am left wondering about the differences and similarities between a library website and a blog. The Jackson Elementary Library site highlights the blog side, with the catalogue and teacher-librarian info located along the multitude of top tabs. The tabs are clearly marked, but are not the first thing a visitor to the site sees. As explained earlier, much of the research states that simple, graphic-based organization is better for children. The Jackson site does not include many of the research recommendations, yet it is highly rated. I am curious to go back and look at who rated it highly and what criteria they were using.

Works Cited:

Chow, A. S., Morris, R. J., Figley, A., Regan, K., Lam, S., & Sherard, J. (2016, June 10). How Usable Are School Library Websites? A Random Sample from All Fifty States. Journal of Research on Libraries & Young Adults 7, https://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2016/06/how-usable-are-school-library-websites-a-random-sample-from-all-fifty-states/#_edn26. Accessed Sept. 29, 2023.

Hartshorne, R., Friedman, A., Algozzine, B., & Kaur, D. (2008). Analysis of Elementary School Web Sites. Educational Technology & Society, 11 (1), 291-303.

Jakubowicz, C. (2022, July 12). 6 Essentials Every School Library website needs. Mrs. J in the Library, https://mrsjinthelibrary.com/library-website-essentials/. Accessed Sept. 29, 2023.

Kincaid, A. (2023). Jackson Elementary Library, https://jacksonelementarylibrary.edublogs.org/. Accessed Sept. 29, 2023.

Valenza, J. K. (2005). The Virtual Library. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 54–59.