by Sandy Kelly

Congratulations to our Central Area Co Director, Diane Libbey. Diane accepted a 2008 MassCUE Webbie Award at their annual conference dinner on Wednesday November 18th.  Diane is the Library Teacher at Westborough High School.

In 2007, MassCUE launched its recognition of excellence in school web site design at the classroom, building and district level through its first annual Webbie Awards program. More than 89 sites were reviewed in 2008 including “department” sites. All nominated sites were provided with feedback, and given a Webbie seal of participation for being reviewed.

Each site’s content is reviewed in the area of ownership, disclosure, audience, content, and functionality. Ownership demonstrates that the site is regularly updated while disclosure clearly identifies and shares information including contact info, a feedback link, date updated, privacy and terms of use statements and a disclaimer regarding links to educationally viable commercially developed content. In regards to audience, the site should clearly demonstrate awareness of age and reading levels and needs and interests of users. Content should not include commercial links or endorsements or inappropriate information.

One area that may be new to MSLA members is functionality. Do you have interactive tools to customize your users’ experience? Diane’s site links to a book blog, the regional CWMARS OPAC, and even a link to subscribe to the site. If you would like to evaluate your own school library website take a look at the 2008 MassCUE Webbie Awards Scoring Rubric at http://masscue.org/webbies/2008/department.html.

Sandy Kelly is the Library Teacher at the Carlisle Elementary School and president of MSLA