Discovering a Descriptive Taxonomy of Attributes of Exemplary School Library Websites

This descriptive study examines effective online school library practice. A Delphi panel selected a sample of 10 exemplary sites and helped to create two research tools--taxonomies designed to analyze the features and characteristics of school library Websites. Using the expert-identified sites as a sample, a content analysis was conducted to systematically identify site features and characteristics. Anne Clyde's longitudinal content analysis of school library Websites was used as a baseline to examine trends in practice; in addition, the national guidelines document, Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning, was examined to explore ways in which the traditional mission and roles of school library programs are currently translated online. Results indicated great variation in depth and coverage even among Websites considered exemplary. Sites in the sample are growing more interactive and student-centered, using blogs as supplemental communication strategies. Nevertheless, even these exemplary sites were slow to adopt the advances in technology to meet the learning needs and interests of young adult users. Ideally the study's findings will contribute to understanding of state-of-the-art and will serve to identify trends, as well as serving as a guide to practitioners in planning, developing, and maintaining school library Websites.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2007

Author dc:creator

• Valenza, Joyce Kasman

Contributors dc:contributor

• Simpson, Carol
• O'Connor, Brian Clark
• Hastings, Samantha Kelly
• Pappas, Marjorie

• library websites
• school libraries
• content analysis
• virtual libraries
• online instructional design
• School libraries -- Computer network resources.
• Library Web sites.

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Valenza, Joyce Kasman
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 192073770
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3911/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc3911

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc3911