Rodman Kids

-or- How You Gonna Keep ‘em Down on the Library’s Web Site?

The State of the State’s Kid Pages

Old Site

Why Redesign?
Kids aren’t going to come to library site to go to the Internet
With tools like Google, why use lengthy lists of links on library site?
Time to maintain list of links better spent developing local content

Goals of the Redesign
Keep kids on local site
Highlight local events for kids
Make it easy to find new library materials
Make it “Kid Friendly”

Steps to Redesign
Look at other sites
Find examples of what you like and don’t like
Don’t use clipart if possible
Use bright colors
Keep words to a minimum
Incorporate library materials into site

Inspiration

Redesign Philosophy
KISS
Inviting graphics
Change info frequently
Make the site interactive
NOT busy

Redesign Tools
Web standards
XHTML/HTML
Cascading Style Sheets
Javascript
Graphics program
Photoshop Elements
Paint Shop Pro

Redesigning on a Shoestring
Learn basics of HTML & CSS
Make friends with a talented graphic artist
Use free “stuff” from others
Be willing to work diligently on content

Web Page Components
Branding
Graphics & Colors
Games & Interactivity
Book Reviews
Events
Homework Help and Parent/Teachers

Branding
Logo
Site Address
Mascot

Graphics & Color

Games & Interactivity

Games & Interactivity CSS hover buttons

Games & Interactivity Javascript word game highlighting Alliance

Games & Interactivity Tie-in to Dial a Story phone service with link to catalog and MP3 version

Book Reviews

Book Reviews Branding

Book Reviews Highlighting subscription service

Book Reviews Age-specific titles and book descriptions with book jackets and links to catalog record

Events

Events Branding

Events Age-specific events Events for all ages

Homework Help and Parent/Teachers

http://www. rodmanlibrary .com/kids

“ I basically knew [the fire safety house] was coming to the library because I saw an ad for it on my computer, on the library’s home page.” --Benjamin, 8-years old The Alliance Review , 6/21/2007

Future Directions
Keep material fresh
Change colors, add new graphics periodically
Add more interactive content
Student poems
Short stories
Book/Movie reviews (tie to catalog)
Student artwork

If You Buy Only One Book…

Learning HTML and CSS By Elizabeth Castro By Eric Meyer

Free Tools for Non-Programmers
Javascript Source
http:// javascript .internet.com/
Google Gadgets
http://www. google .com/ ig /directory

Links to Web Sites Mentioned
www. rodmanlibrary .com/kids
www. tbpl .thunder-bay.on.ca/ kidszone /

Rodman Kids

by guestbc7e13 on Aug 29, 2007

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Rodman Kids — Presentation Transcript