Before I began my quest to discover the qualities of great virtual school libraries (vsl's), I thought I'd better find out a little more about them. I found this definition of a digital library in the "Teacher Training Manual" section of the International Children's Digital Library:
"William Arms, creator of D-Lib Magazine, gives a simple yet effective definition of a digital library. He defines a digital library as a “managed collection of information, with
associated services, where the information is stored in digital formats and accessible over
a network” (Arms, 2000, p. 2). Digital libraries are considered extensions of the physical
library, not replacements. They have benefits such as being “open” twenty-four hours a
day at a relatively low cost, bringing the library to the user, allowing for powerful
searching and browsing, being able to share unique collections, and providing access to
up-to-date information (Arms, 2000).
Arms, W.Y. (2000). Digital Libraries. Boston, MA: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Press.
Borgman, C. L. (1999, May 23-26, 1999). What are digital libraries, who is building them, and why? Digital
Libraries: Interdisciplinary Concepts, Challenges, and Opportunities. 23-38."
I liked this definition especially because it included the statement about digital/virtual libraries being extensions of the physical library, working in collaboration with existing traditional formats not simply replacing them. At this point in time, this is important simply because not all learners in the school community have computer access. Until online libraries can confidently claim that they're accessible to all learners, the traditional versions must remain intact, up to date and provide the "virtual space" (computers) so that all learners have access.
What intrigues me -- vsl's being open 24/7 and the notion of bringing the library to the learner, wonderful implications for teaching and learning.
Here's a summary of my initial thoughts and some highlights (and low lights) from the virtual libraries I searched:
Springfield Township virtual library (Joyce Valenza)
- Great, fun graphics--enjoyable to explore
- Easy to navigate
- Some of what it contains:
- catalogs and databases-high quality, full text, web based eg POWER
- on-line research guide-search strategies included
- reference tools - wikis eg kids click! search engine
- resources for librarians, online lessons
- links for students/teachers
- Virtual Reference desk-assistance through email
- mission statement
- catalog info
- student/staff links-student links not working when I tried
- promotion of school events
- easy to navigate - simple, straight forward
- unique is the Student Work section where you can see work done by students using wordle and a voice thread slideshow, very neat
- liked the pictures in the old site, seemed friendlier
- new site has more information, but too "clustered" for my liking
- "What to Read" section-great idea
- very busy, lots going on--hard to know where to "click", didn't want to stay on this site!
- I found the constant scrolling on top to be bothersome (I kept thinking something was wrong with Internet explorer!)
Quickly moving on...
Grandview School Library
- loved the graphics, very kid friendly. Also loved the grade level links and the simple, user friendly (especially for kids) catalog.
- good research resource: "Pathfinders" - Bright, graphic page with different topics under each grade level to help students find the information they're looking for. Students click on their topic and they're directed to a list of resources (print, on-line and video)
- a little sterile looking but liked the layout (headings on the left and links on the right)
- out dated "Battle of the Books" link (from 2004)
- not a large selection of online data bases
- liked the student book review section and power point use on "how to do research" beside the homework link
- links to Web 2.0 applications-- first time I saw this
- Great teacher resources links
- really liked the bottom of their home page, had a date for when the links where last checked
- set up by the Public Libraries of BC to provide "quick access to a virtual library of websites ...reputable websites that have been reviewed by librarians"
- did a quick search of bears and was impressed by the "localness" of it (BC websites)
- my daughter's school in our school district (was better developed than I thought it might be!)
- some useful links "en francais"
- Still a work in progress!
Smithsonian Library and Archival Exhibits
- on the web "3000 links to online exhibitions from libraries, archives, and museums around the world."
Based on my very preliminary observations, here's a list of the qualities of a great virtual library (in no particular order):
- Great graphics (especially pictures of books) to help draw the user in
- Online Catalog where students can independently search titles available in the school library
- Research Resources -subscription databases, curriculum related websites (with the help of a search tool like Pathfinders where there's a page with different topics listed under appropriate grade levels), links to help with the research process (Big 6)
- "How to" on searching effectively and links to search engines adapted to specific information (eg NoodleTools)
- "How to" on evaluating a website
- Links to author websites
- Links specific for students, parents and staff
- Links to games/fun stuff that promotes reading (eg Scholastic)
- Reading lists- grade level, choices and reviews by students, "what should I read next?"
- E book links(eg International Children's Digital Library)
- Promotion on site of literary and school events (eg Battle of the Books)
- Links to local, public libraries
- Section to showcase student achievements
- Virtual reference desk to offer assistance through email or portal to provide feedback
- Dates of when links were last checked
There are many potentials and advantages for using vsl's along with traditional libraries. Some of these include decreasing library costs because there's no damaged or lost books to replace, creating access to many and remote collections of books or research materials and promoting critical thinking in students by having them work independently in a quality web based environment.
How could these sites be improved or changed with the incorporation of new or different technologies? What I see is the addition of more web 2.0 tools that would allow for collaboration and interaction. Perhaps a student blog or chat room area where members could discuss various books, assignments, resources or concerns and get feedback from authors, teachers or librarians.
As a final note, John V. Lombardi points out in his 2000 article on Academic Libraries in a Digital Age, there are still many challenges facing virtual libraries. Number one being expense, the updating of obsolete hardware/software as well as conversion into digital format, and issues around property rights of information.
What remains consistent in this virtual age is that librarians will continue to do the job they've always done. " They will provide their constituents with help and assistance, as they always have, in finding, evaluating, and understanding the universe of information that the digital world has provided us. They will spend less time and energy developing collections and much more developing on-line guides to subjects, topics, and resources. " (Lombardi, 2000)
2 comments:
Jan,
Glad to see your computer troubles are on the mend. I finally broke down and took my computer in this weekend and they were able to fix it in an hour. Maybe it was the sob story I gave about being in an online course that sped the process up?? Oh well, it didn't hurt to try.
I like how you've framed virtual libraries in the context of being an extension of the physical library and reminding us that they will not replace actual libraries any time soon. At least I hope not - the library is one of my favourite places to be!
Jo-Anne
Thanks Jan. You raise some good points--as Carol also pointed out, VSLs are probably always in a state of flux and that constant evolution is a good thing I think! I also think that the addition of some web 2.0 tools to encourage collaboration between teachers, students, parents, and tls is a great idea and a direction that many people should be headed in as they design (or re-design) their VSLs. As a parent of a school age child, what do you see as the major benefits of this kind of resource available to you and your daughter? What kinds of resources would you want highlighted on a VSL for your daughter's school?
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