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November 2009
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Fairmont State University |
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This state is known for its rich history, lush landscape, mineral deposits and home to the New River Gorge Bridge. West Virginia encompasses all of these things and is also home to Fairmont State University. The Libraries of Fairmont University incorporates three library locations and shares access to the catalog with local public and school libraries. The library website has many notable features. Across the top of each page are links to the library hours, floor plans, policies and computing tips and Ask A Librarian. The right side of the library homepage lists other resources and helpful links. The tabbed interface creates a layered look to the site. Users have easy access to needed information without having to wade through a lot of text. Highlight of the site is the "I want…/Use this" chart available below the tabbed searching box. This chart helps users navigate to the proper resources by breaking down the information need into digestible chunks. Another gem, the pictorial history of the FSU libraries showcases the archival holdings and integrate media into the website. Thelma Hutchins, Director of Library Services, and her staff have developed a multifaceted website for their educational community. Their work is a model for other college libraries. | ||
October 2009
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Southeastern Oklahoma State University |
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At the southern end of the Great Plains lies the Sooner State. How many States have a musical with their name? Oklahoma! Oklahoma is also home to many private and public colleges and universities. Southeastern Oklahoma State University provides its users with an amazing library website accessible directly from the SOSU home page. The Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library with a prominent location not only on the SOSU website, but also on campus is a portal to knowledge for students. The space allocation for the array of information is compact without being confusing, yet lean without being sparse. There is a natural flow to the webpage that should be pleasing and intuitive to the user. The eyes of the user are drawn first to the Finding section, which provides buttons leading to helpful resources. Below the Finding section is the catalog search box with a tab feature. The tabs lead to articles and also a Google search. Then, the user is lead to the News and Events section in a blog roll. Titles and short abstracts inform the user of stories of interest in and around the library. Finally, near the bottom of the page are additional library links. Additionally, when browsing the site the way-finding bar across the top of each page is helpful. The site map on the right side of the screen also provides perspective for users. Sharon Morrison, Library Director, and her staff should be commended on creating and supporting a useful and appealing library website. | ||
September 2009
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Valdosta State University |
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The great state of Georgia may make you think of peaches, peanuts, Spanish moss or golf. While the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National Golf Course may bring up images of beautiful azaleas, Valdosta is the Azalea City and home to Valdosta State University. The Gertrude Glimer Odum Library recently added an addition to the library in 2004 and is currently renovating the original library space. The dedication to creating effective, usable library space is reflected not only in the library's physical space but also in the Odum Library's website. Innovative layout is the hallmark of the Odum Library homepage. The four square design provides access to a variety of topics while the intuitive tabbed browsing leads users effortlessly to the needed information. Other must see features of the Odum Library website:
George Gaumond, University Librarian, and his staff are commended on creating a truly innovative and intuitive library website. | ||
August 2009
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Trinity College |
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The Constitution State was the 5th state admitted to the Union on January 9, 1788. Known for its proximity to New York City, but also its colonial architecture and pastoral rural towns Connecticut is New England gem. In fact, the State mineral is the garnet. The State flower is the Mountain Lauren. The State bird is the Robin. You can research the State bird and many others at the Trinity College Raether Library Enders ornithology collection. Trinity College is located in the capital city of Hartford. The City of Hartford purchased the Trinity College campus and lands in 1872. The former campus is now the home of the State Capital! Trinity College relocated to the Rocky Ridge/Summit Campus in 1878. More recently, Raether Library & Information Technology Center underwent a $35 million renovation and expansion. The Raether Library has over four floors of library space for its students. The library website is also a well organized library space. Characterized by a clean layout and simple search boxes, the Raether Library website provides basic search information for patrons. Links Raether Library to social media sites, news and research help are also available on the library homepage. Highlights:
Richard Ross, College Librarian, and his staff provide a dynamic portal to library information for their students. Proving that librarians can provide information at the point of need, not only during the reference interview, but also online. | ||
June/July 2009
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Cardinal Stritch University |
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Our 30th state which was admitted to the Union in 1848 is officially known as the Badger State. However, over the years this state has acquired numerous capital distinctions such as, Dairy Capital, Ginseng Capital, Swiss Cheese Capital, Loon Capital, Snowmobile Capital, Bratwurst Capital and many more! Wisconsin has one more distinction - Cardinal Stritch University. Originally founded as St. Clare College in 1938, Stritch was renamed in 1946 for the former archbishop Samuel Cardinal Stritch. The Library's homepage services the students and faculty on Stritch's main campus, located in suburban Milwaukee and its several satellite locations. Four major sections, Research, Library Services, About Us, and Communication & Collaboration, contain clearly labeled links to Stritch's resources and services. The straightforward layout and the categorization of the numerous links reflect the Library's mission, "...to provide access to its services in such a way that will meet the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students, faculty and staff." Check out the Guides and FAQs: directions for adding RSS feeds, editing in Word and working with PowerPoint slides are just a few of the online documents that help patrons – and many of these are video clips. David Weinberg-Kinsey, Library Director, as well as the entire staff need to be congratulated for one more distinction: a search box for Library resources is located on the University's homepage itself – placed prominently right center. It seems that all too often when schools redesign homepages, the link to the library falls off the front page which makes locating the library link a challenging treasure hunt. Hats off to Director Weinberg-Kinsey and staff for their part in establishing the value and significance of library resources. | ||
May 2009
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Salve Regina University |
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The first state to declare its independence was the last of the original 13 colonies to become a state. Celebrating its anniversary of admittance on May 29, 1790, the Ocean State proves that being state number thirteen is not unlucky. Nestled on 75 acres in the heart of the cultural and historical splendor of Newport, Rhode Island is Salve Regina University. In 1934 under the sponsorship of the Sisters of Mercy, Salve Regina College was chartered; by 1991 its name was changed to Salve Regina University which is also the year in which the current library was opened. McKillop Library was named in honor of the fifth and longest-serving president in University history, Sister Lucille McKillop, RSM, Ph.D. The Library's website set in the subtle blues and greens of Salve's branding, reminiscent of Newport's fabled ocean-side, is easy to navigate. The Search Field for books, articles, and much more is centrally located atop three columns of resource and services links, Research Tools, Services, and How do I.... Check out:
Resources accessible from multiple points, the latest use of technology and rotating News, Events & Displays highlights are just a few of the features that illustrate that McKillop's patrons are lucky to have Kathleen Boyd, the Director of Library Services, and the staff maintain this exceptional website. Did you know...that our smallest state has the longest official name? The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations! | ||
April 2009
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Clarion University |
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A bell, a flag, a chocolate bar, and some pirates - a few of the many images that come to mind when you think about our Keystone State. Only second in joining the Union and often referred to as the Quaker state in reference to its founder, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not only rich in early American history, but also in institutes of higher education – over two hundred. Nestled in the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania is Clarion University founded in 1867. Clarion's origins can be traced to Carrier Seminary and a state normal school. Today Clarion offers 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs including an online M.S.L.S. program. The Library's homepage represents both of Clarion's libraries, Rena M. Carlson Library (main campus) and Charles L. Suhr Library (Venango campus). The centrally located online catalog link and the three columns labeled Research Resources, Library Services, and Library Help which contain dozens of links, provide ample as well as user-friendly access to patrons. In addition, a left column of links provides various information and assistance such as, Ask A Librarian, a Suggestion Box form, and a Help section which includes several comprehensive pathfinders on disabilities, Education, and HipHop, to name a few. Tutorials in video presentations, PowerPoints, and PDFs illustrate how the Library successfully utilizes technology in its website. Especially helpful for Library patrons are the following:
Even Pennsylvania's famous prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil can predict that Clarion's students and faculty are well served by the library's homepage under the direction of the Dean, Dr. Terry Latour. | ||
March 2009
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Northwest University |
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The Evergreen State, bound by the Pacific Ocean, Canada, Idaho, and Oregon, celebrates its 120th anniversary this year as our 42nd state. And Washington is the only state to be named after a president (Made you think!). Located in Kirkland on fifty-six semi-wooded acres overlooking Lake Washington and Seattle in view of the snow-clad Olympic Mountains, is Northwest University. NU's original name when it opened to students in 1934 was the Northwest Bible Institute. Today with over 1000 students, NU offers numerous undergraduate and graduate programs ranging from Nursing to Music, from Business to Education, and Counseling Psychology to Theology. The Hurst Library is named after the University's third president, Duane V. Hurst. Today's Library Director, Charles Diede, and staff maintain the Library and its homepage. The text-only homepage provides easy access to resources and services. The left column is divided into sections for accessing books, articles, other formats and libraries as well as bibliographic and citation information. On the right, patrons can use the online Ask a Librarian feature, and access databases and websites in subject, format, and popular categories. A few features worth noting are:
If you aren't able to visit the Hurst Library while attending the 2009 ACRL Conference this month, then click on the homepage for a visit to a most user-centered library website. | ||
January/February 2009
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Hawai'i Pacific University |
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Trying to beat the winter blahs? Let the Aloha State take your mind off of blizzards, snow drifts and the doldrums of colder months as it celebrates its 50th anniversary of being the 50th state admitted to the Union. Hawai'i's largest city, Honolulu, is home to its largest private institution of higher education, Hawai'i Pacific University. Coeducational and nonsectarian, HPU is an international learning community founded in 1965. The University Libraries provide support and resources on its website and in two libraries, Atherton Library for the Hawai'i Loa Campus and Meader Library for the Downtown campus. The website also details how the University Libraries support four nearby military campuses including the Pearl Harbor naval station. The Libraries' homepage maintains HPU's branding of rich blue and green colors reminiscent of the lush tropical setting of the Islands. The left column of links for accessing library information is very easy to use. Noteworthy sections include:
If you can't surf the fabled Waikiki beaches, then surf the web pages of the University Libraries under the direction of University Librarian, Kathleen Chee. | ||
December 2008
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Flagler College |
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Our 27th state provides a sunshine haven for those who escape the cold and snow of the northern states. When Juan Ponce de León landed in 1513 naming the area "La Florida" (the land of flowers), little did he know that La Florida would become internationally renowned for beaches, astronauts, palm tress, alligators, and a mouse who lives in the Enchanted Kingdom. In the very area where Ponce de León landed, St. Augustine, Florida, was founded - years before the Jamestown colonists or pilgrims landing at Plymouth. Among St. Augustine's historic landmarks is Flagler College, founded 40 years ago as a women's college, and named after Henry Morrison Flagler, the Gilded Age industrialist whose luxury resort Hotel Ponce de León (originally built in 1888) serves as a residence hall and centerpiece for the college. Proctor Library, named for Dr. William Proctor, whose presidency ran from 1971 to 2001, was built to mirror the distinctive Gilded Age style of the College, and the Library's homepage was branded with the College's distinctive brick red and yellow colors. Framed by photographs and graphics, both informative and visually pleasing, the Library's homepage's three columns of links, Find Information, Library Services, and About the Library, provide access to all services and resources. Proctor's homepage which is accessible directly from the College's main page contains the following noteworthy documents:
Ponce de León may not have found his Fountain of Youth, but the Proctor Library is certainly a find in the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent. | ||
November 2008
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Gallaudet University |
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The beautiful city with wide streets and many trees has a river, a mall, and the largest library in the world1. Very shortly we will know the names of the new residents who will be moving into this city’s famous residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The District of Columbia has another internationally renowned institute – Gallaudet University, established in 1857 as the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind on two acres of donated land. In 1954, an act of Congress changed the name to Gallaudet College, honoring the significant contribution of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet in the area of deaf education. A second act of Congress granted it university status in October 1986. The Gallaudet University Library's resources and services are accessible in links that are pleasantly arranged in frames of varying blue shades. The left column of links provides user-friendly access to information, the catalog, research assistance, and Deaf research help. The Library maintains the world's largest collection of deaf materials in its Archives that strives to preserve the memory of the Deaf Community. The impressive Archives contains:
The entire Library staff, including Ulf Hedberg, Director, Deaf Library Collections and Archives, and Sarah Hamrick, Director, Library Public Services, deserves our votes for providing excellent resources not only for their own students, but also for all of us. The Potomac River, the National Mall & Memorial Parks, and the Library of Congress | ||
October 2008
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Georgetown College |
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The Bluegrass State, whose name is derived from an Iroquois word meaning "land of tomorrow," was the 15th state to enter the Union. Nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass region, just twelve miles north of Lexington, is Georgetown, Kentucky, home to Georgetown College, a small, private liberal arts college. Georgetown College, the first Baptist college west of the Allegheny Mountains, traces its roots to Rittenhouse Academy, a land grant school founded in 1798. The colorful layout and welcoming photographs of The Anna Ashcraft Ensor Learning Resource Center (Ensor LRC) website provide a user-friendly layout for its users. Centrally located are three columns, Information, Services, and Research that contain links to all resources and services. Several noteworthy features are found on the Ensor LRC webpage. Patrons and visitors will enjoy the Jacobs Gallery and Archives/Special Collections:
Librarians will appreciate the following documents that Library Director Mary Margaret Lowe has placed online: Assessment of the Library; Library Statistics; and Collection Development. | ||
September 2008
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Eureka! Two from the Golden State |
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The 31st state is known for colonial missions, beautiful coastlines, giant sequoias, and a fabulous bridge. California also claims almost 400 colleges and universities making the selection of only one library to spotlight a challenge. The following libraries represent the hundreds of California libraries and their homepages that provide doorways to the rich variety of resources that their communities value and depend on for scholarly success and inspiration for invention. Santa Clara is the home of Santa Clara University, which was founded in 1851. Santa Clara University (SCU) is the Jesuit University in Silicon Valley and the first Catholic coeducational institution of higher learning in California. Note that SCU's homepage pairs the libraries with research. The University Library's homepage lists its services and resources in easy to use columns of links. Most noteworthy is SCU's Digital Collections, Projects, and Initiatives. Elizabeth Salzer is the University Librarian. 400 miles south of Santa Clara, in the heart of Southern California's Inland Empire, is Riverside, California, home to California Baptist University which was founded in 1950. The Annie Gabriel Library serves students not only at the main Riverside campus, but also at its remote locations in Beaumont, Chino, High Desert, and San Bernardino. Erica McLaughlin serves as both Director and Webmaster of the Annie Gabriel Library which was named in honor of a generous benefactor. The Library's homepage provides links to its resources as well as its services. An excellent sign of this Library’s commitment to all of its students is the recently employed Document Delivery Service. Books and journal articles are now mailed to current students, faculty and staff who live 25 miles or more from the main campus. Now that's really golden. | ||
August 2008
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Eastern New Mexico University:http://www.enmu.edu/ |
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The Land of Enchantment is known for White Sands, Four Corners, and the Carlsbad Caverns (to name a few fantastic places). This state, the 47th to be admitted to the Union, is New Mexico. The spring waters that provide a gateway into New Mexico on the eastern border gave name to Portales, the charming town which is home to Eastern New Mexico University. ENMU began in the 1920s when state funding was allocated for a new normal school. The Golden Library on ENMU's campus is named after the second president, Floyd Golden, who guided the school during the 1940s. Golden's home page, framed by the University's branding, provides information and access to its services and resources within four columns of calming pastel colors. Each of the four columns, Resources, Services, Information, and Golden Highlights, has easily understandable and appropriate links. Worth noting is Resources, under which the patron finds Golden's Special Collections. Included here are the Jack Williamson Science Fiction Library and Oral Histories from Roosevelt County and eastern New Mexico that contain hundreds of pages of invaluable interviews from over fifty notable local figures. Director Melveta Walker and staff provide a welcoming and refreshing gateway to the myriad of library services and information resources. | ||
July 2008
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Black Hills State University:http://www.bhsu.edu/ |
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The Coyote State, celebrated for its gold and four presidential granite faces*, is home to the Black Hills, the legendary oasis of pine-clad mountains. These hills are found in the 40th state admitted to the Union – better known as South Dakota. Located in the hub of the northern Black Hills is Spearfish, South Dakota, which in turn is the home of Black Hills State University. From its beginning in 1883 as Dakota Territorial Normal School, BHSU has been one of the premier educational centers in South Dakota. And the major resource center at BHSU is the E.Y. Berry Library-Learning Center. The text and graphics on Berry's webpage utilize the University's yellow and green tones. Links for Reference Services including databases and Internet Resources including newspapers and government sites are listed under the prominently positioned message, "Live Reference Anywhere." The left column of links provides access to circulation, special collections, and partner sites information. The right column provides links such as, What's New, digital newspapers, and FAQs for ebooks. Two especially noteworthy links here are: 1) the Library Media Minor - a great first step into our profession; and 2) the LearningExpress (BHSU students only) - Test Preparation for PRAXIS, ACT, and GRE. While responding to the curricular needs of the students and faculty, the Berry Library also maintains several admirable special collections about the region. Included in the Special Collections are: the Cox Historical Collection; the Library of American Civilization; Leland D. Case Library of Western Historical Studies containing great resources related to the history of the Black Hills and surrounding area; The ARROW Native American materials; and most unusual is The A.D. Humbert Collection of Clay Tablets available online. Although at first viewing, the front page appears somewhat busy; however, Scott Ahola, Interim Director, and the staff are to be commended for having a library webpage that definitely lives up to its motto, "Your Map to Information." * Better known as Mount Rushmore | ||
June 2008
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Otterbein College:http://www.otterbein.edu/ |
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The Buckeye State derives its name from the Iroquois word meaning "good river." This land of the Good River is home to two of the library world's premier consortia, OCLC and OhioLINK. The former has become the foremost bibliographic database for libraries worldwide and the latter illustrates what an academic consortium can accomplish when it follows the idiom, strength in numbers. One of the academic libraries that contribute to the success of OhioLINK is Otterbein College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1847 that is located in Westerville, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. The Courtright Memorial Library homepage, branded in the College's red and light brown colors, presents traditional resource searching capabilities as well as the latest technological features. Framed search fields for books and articles are centrally located above the sections: Library Services, Seek Help/Get Information, Library Information, and Teaching and Learning. The right column contains links for: Ask a Librarian, E-News, Library News Blog, and the Library Newsletter. The Explore the Library Research Tutorial on the left provides patrons with assistance handling information in the Library and on the Internet. In addition, the three sections on making research more efficient and effective are easy to follow with the numerous graphics and cartoons. Lois Szudy, the Library Director, and the Library staff maintain a user-friendly web page that reflects the Mission by providing access to resources that engage in and contribute to the teaching, learning and research needs of the entire Otterbein community. One final note - check out The Erin McKenzie Virtual Welcoming Space that promotes learning and discovery about how we listen, observe, reflect, and learn. | ||
May 2008
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Wesley College: http://www.wesley.edu/ |
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May Day finds us looking towards the state with the nicknames: The Diamond State, The Blue Hen State, and The Small Wonder. This Eastern Seaboard state's official nickname, The First State, reflects its status as being the first state to ratify the federal Constitution in December 7, 1787 - Delaware holds this distinction. Located on 50 acres in Dover is Wesley College, Delaware's oldest private college founded in 1873. The Robert H. Parker Library was dedicated in 1970 and named for the late Robert Parker, President of Wesley College. The Library's homepage is accessible from the College's homepage – still noteworthy to mention. Graphics, set against the very distinctive blue of the College's branding, frame the Library's essential information, such as contact information, hours, library card particulars, etc. To the right of this information lies the Parker Library Menu containing links for various services and resources (e.g. InterLibrary Loan and databases). Centrally positioned and humorously nostalgic to mature library patrons is a picture of a card catalog cabinet that serves as the link to the online Delaware Library Catalog at Wesley College. In addition to the online catalog, patrons can access sections for research assistance, digital collections, 16 booklists, and much more. Take note of this feature - the catalog features a mirror site in Spanish. Susan Matusak, the Director of the Libraries, and staff maintain a webpage that reflects a former president's acclamation that appears in the Friends of the Library section, "The Library is the heart of the College, pumping the life-blood into academic programs." | ||
April 2008
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University of Denver: http://library.du.edu/ |
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In 1880, 16 years after the Centennial State was admitted into the Union, the Colorado Seminary, which was originally founded in 1864, became the University of Denver (DU). Sitting in the shadows of the majestic Rocky Mountains, this 125-acre campus enjoys all the benefits of the sophisticated urban scene of Denver. The Penrose Library cleverly employs terminology that reflects Colorado's rich history and geography: Peak is the Library catalog and Prospector is the union catalog of over 16 academic and public libraries including DU. The homepage's quartered layout provides easy access to its services and resources: Finding What You Need, Services, About the Library, and What's New. The left column of Quick Links provides access to patron accounts, the ability to ask research questions and suggest library purchases, and much more. Noteworthy features include the opportunity to test and evaluate electronic resources under consideration for purchase, and the numerous research tutorials including several assessment quizzes. The featured collections and online exhibits located in the Special Collections & Archives particularly worth visiting are: Historic Photographs of The University of Denver, Images of Pioneer Jewish Families, Colorado Women's College, and the Margaret Husted Culinary Collection. Dean and Director Nancy Allen, the faculty and staff of Penrose Library use a webpage of subtle text and frame hues to provide exceptional support to the University of Denver community. | ||
March 2008
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Alaska Pacific University: http://www.consortiumlibrary.org/ |
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America's Last Frontier, our 49th state, has natural and majestic beauty throughout all of its 591,004 square miles. Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, is home to one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation, The Alaska Pacific University. This private, independent university was chartered as Alaska Methodist University in 1957, and in 1978, renamed Alaska Pacific University (APU) in order to reflect its mission and geographical location. The Consortium Library, which opened in 1973, represents a joint library shared by both APU and The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Its homepage provides easy access to its resources and services in four areas: Find Books, Find Articles, Research Help and Library Services. The Distance Learners' Edition section addresses its students' needs by providing helpful FAQs and Research Help that includes numerous streaming video clips. Noteworthy features on this website are:
The stark white background with the understated use of color and images creates a user-friendly and visually pleasing website that is maintained by the Dean of the Consortium Library, Stephen J. Rollins, its faculty, and staff. | ||
February 2008
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Dickinson State University: http://www.dickinsonstate.com/library.asp |
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The 39th state boasts some of our nation's most rugged natural beauty. North Dakota's sixth largest city is Dickinson, home to Dickinson State University. Established as Dickinson Normal School in 1916, this institution was granted its university status in 1987 and is now one of the 11 higher schools of education that comprise North Dakota's University System. The Stoxen Library serves the University's students, faculty and staff as well as the residents living in the surrounding communities of southwestern North Dakota. The Library's webpage adapts quite well to the University's branding which includes royal bonline tutorials - well-designed and ranging from 1-2 minutes that cover renewing materials online, requesting items, performing journal searches and importing citations. Director Kopp and the Watzek Library staff should be commended for the use of cutting edge technology - a noteworthy fact recognized on the College's website. | ||
January/February 2007
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Bradley University: http://library.bradley.edu/ |
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Our first website for 2007 comes from the Cullom-Davis Library on the campus of Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, where Barbara Galik serves as Executive Director of the Library. This user-friendly website holds its own among the Prairie State's almost two-hundred institutes of higher learning. The pleasing two-tone design has minimum graphics for easy loading. Prominent features on this homepage include a centrally positioned QUICK SEARCH field, easily identifiable Library information links, and two columns of resource and obtaining materials links. Two features on the lower right reflect the Director's philosophy of interaction and participation. The first feature, Talk Back, provides the links for the Library's blogs and wikis as well as other means of communication. The second feature, Did You Know?, provides a rotating advertisement that highlights special aspects of the collection. Most noteworthy is the Director's blog, accessible from the homepage and humorously entitled, "Can we talk? Blogging with Barbara, the Library Director." This refreshing feature illustrates her keeping up with the younger (and maybe not so young) patron base. | ||
November/December 2006
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Two from New Hampshire: |
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While New Hampshire, the Granite State, may not have a large number of college and small university libraries, it does offer two sites that are worthy of your review. Both sites are characterized by a most tasteful and effective use of colors and graphics, and they feature as well straightforward access to library resources and services through uncluttered pages. Daniel Webster College in Nashua - http://www.dwc.edu/library/index.shtml Saint Anselm College in Manchester - http://www.anselm.edu/library/ | ||
September/October 2006
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College of Saint Mary: http://www.csm.edu/Academics__Majors/Library/ |
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For the next two months, The Cornhusker State, Nebraska, is our featured state. Students, faculty, and others affiliated with the College of Saint Mary in Omaha should find their library's web site to be quite user-friendly and effective (according to the page, the director's position is currently vacant). The site employs an aesthetically pleasing combination of blue and beige with an appropriate degree of contrast. The generally blue text on the beige background is both attractive and quite legible, and the pages contain a good balance between text and open space. Pages are nicely framed, which gives the viewer an impression of self-containment and a situation under control. Confirming this perception are the manageable and reasonable number of options available to users together with a relative lack of jargon. Pages have headings such as the catalog, resources, services, hours, off-campus users, policies, and staff. As a result, users should have no or limited difficulty navigating around the pages. While the range of resources and services is not over-simplified, neither is it unnecessarily complex and confusing. Be sure to check out the pages at http://www.csm.edu/Academics__Majors/Library/. | ||
July/August 2006
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Montana State University-Northern: http://www.msun.edu/infotech/library/ |
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The next state featured is Montana, Big Sky Country. While the choice was difficult, it's worth your while to take a look at the site of Montana State University-Northern's Vande Bogart Library (http://www.msun.edu/infotech/library/). Cynthia Harrison serves as Director. The content and formats of the pages give the distinct impression that the library focuses consistently on student needs and preferences. The links are precise and easy to understand, with a great deal of useful information pulled together without reinventing the wheel. Check out the links to the Coffee Cart menu as well as the MSUN Student Web Page. Especially noteworthy is the How Do I? page, which contains a number of neat features such as links to vendor database tutorials. The homepage is aesthetically pleasing in its reflection of the school colors, with the colors reversed when clicking on links from the sidebar. Finally, a new image appears each time the page is renewed. | ||
May/June 2006
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Millsaps College: http://library.millsaps.edu/library/ |
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With the arrival of spring, we head to The Magnolia State, Mississippi. The spotlight is on the Millsaps-Wilson Library of Millsaps College (http://library.millsaps.edu/library/) in Jackson. Tom Henderson is College Librarian The homepage is characterized by three main sections-Search Tools, Information & Services, and Getting help-in addition to contact information, library news, and commonly used forms. In addition, there is a judicious use of graphics and a well-coordinated color scheme in addition to the use of tabs as links on the subpages. | ||
March/April 2006
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Northwestern College: http://nwc.nwc.edu/index.php?id=687 |
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Our attention now shifts to the North Star State, the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes, or Minnesota. In St. Paul, let's visit the Web page of Northwestern College's Berntsen Library, whose director is Ruth McGuire. You can connect to the page at http://nwc.nwc.edu/index.php?id=687. The site makes highly judicious use of image rollovers to provide a good sense of the library. The pages typically are characterized by a combination of concise, useful information and an appropriate amount of open space. The user, whether experienced or not, can navigate easily through the site by the use of only seven categories—the catalog, databases, Web gateway, about us, guides, contact the library, and hours. It's never difficult to quickly get to your next destination. | ||
January/February 2006
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William Woods University: http://www.williamwoods.edu/category.asp?73 |
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2006 brings us to the “Show Me” state, Missouri, and we take pleasure in featuring the Web page of William Woods University in Fulton (http://www.williamwoods.edu/category.asp?73). The Library Director is Erlene Dudley. The page is characterized by three noteworthy characteristics: 1. it is very aesthetically pleasing due to its tasteful use of colors and placement of boxes without giving the page a boxy look or feeling; 2. the page contains a most effective balance between the amount of text and blank space on each page; and 3. the number of options available to the user is not overwhelming, as it consists of four sub-pages dealing with library resources and an equal number of sub-pages dealing with services and general information. | ||
November/December 2005
| Aquinas College: http://www.aquinas.edu/library | ||
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Michigan, the Wolverine State, is known for a number of college and small university libraries, and we are pleased to feature one of them this month. You'll enjoy taking a look at the Web pages (http://www.aquinas.edu/library) for Woodhouse Library of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. Francine Paolini and Shellie Jeffries serve as Acting Co-Directors. The color scheme is aesthetically pleasing and may be seasonal as the pages convey a strong autumn look and feel. As a result, the pages are attractive and welcoming, with the Librarian Pick of the Month a prominent feature. Fewer than a dozen buttons guide users to all areas of library resources and services. Connecting is easy and graphics load quickly. Virtually every page contains a link back to the home page, which makes for easy navigation. An interesting feature is a link to the syllabus for the library's GE103 course—an introduction to information literacy. | ||
September/October 2005
| Assumption College : http://www.assumption.edu/dept/library/libraryindex.html | ||
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This month, we visit The Bay State-Massachusetts The main pages for institutions of higher education, corporations, and other organizations or agencies typically contain one or more drop down menus to guide users to the appropriate area. However, libraries seem to make relatively little use of these menus on their pages. Therefore, we offer this site to promote greater consideration of the appropriate use of drop down menus by college and small university libraries. | ||
July/August 2005
| Washington College : http://www.libraryweb.washcoll.edu | ||
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For July and August, we feature a library from Maryland, the Old Line State. Our featured library is the Clifton M. Miller Library of Washington College in Chestertown, with Dr. Ruth Shoge as Director. The site is characterized by its breadth and depth of content without overwhelming the viewer, its useful and relevant content, its ease of navigation and site search capability, and lastly, its very attractive and appealing design with effective use of illustrations and a consistent color scheme. Specifically, the page places appropriate emphasis on library and information resources/research tools with easy links for finding books, articles, newspapers, government information, and web sites. It also offers a quick find option for using databases and reference sources as well as FAQs relating to library resources and services. Take a look at this site: Clinton M. Miller Library | ||
May/June 2005
| Baker University : http://www.bakeru.edu/library/index.htm | ||
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To view a definitely user-friendly library web site, be sure to take a look at this month's feature-Collins Library of Baker University in Baldwin City, KS (http://www.bakeru.edu/library/index.htm ). Kay Bradt is the Director of Library Services at this academic library in the Sunflower State. The site doesn't overwhelm users in that it offers four basic options: search, services, collections, and about us. The site is characterized by ease of access and navigation, useful and relevant information, and the effective use of graphics. A very nice, and somewhat unusual, feature is a logo indicating the library as "The Heart of the University." | ||
| Bates College : http://abacus.bates.edu/library | ||
| This month, we feature a web site from Maine, the Pine Tree State. Please direct your attention to the pages of the Ladd Library of Bates College (http://abacus.bates.edu/library). You will note the appealing design, with its clean and crisp look. Also of interest are the embedded quick catalog and quick reserves searches on the main page as well as the subject listing of indexes and databases. Eugene Wiemers is the Librarian of Bates College. | ||
| Simpson College : http://www.simpson.edu/library/index.html | ||
| This month, CLS is pleased to feature the website of Dunn Library at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, the Hawkeye State. Cynthia Dyer (dyer@simpson.edu) serves as College Librarian. With only six options for the user, the site still provides both breadth and depth of content that is current as well. Through the effective use of colors and images and a consistent layout, the design is user-friendly, eye-catching, and aesthetically appealing. The page can be accessed at: http://www.simpson.edu/library/index.html. Next month, we feature Maine, the Pine Tree State. | ||
February/March 2005
| Centenary College of Louisiana: http://www.centenary.edu/library | ||
| From the Pelican State, Louisiana, this month's featured library website belongs to Centenary College of Louisiana, http://www.centenary.edu/library. As you browse through the library's pages, you will notice the concise, but effective, overview of key information about the library on the home page as well as the list of key links along the left margin so that one can navigate through the pages without having to return to the home page. | ||
| Earlham College: http://www.earlham.edu/~libr | ||
| After careful review, this month's featured site is that of Earlham College in Richmond, IN, http://www.earlham.edu/~libr. Note how the pages are simple and uncluttered, but extremely effective. | ||
Web Site of the Month guidelines
Librarians realize that a library web site, in addition to enhancing access to a library's resources and services, serves in general as a major means of communication with current and future users.
As a result, the CLS Communications Committee is pleased to offer a new service/feature commencing in January 2005. The College Library Web Site of the Month features one site that the committee feels is noteworthy. While the committee recognizes the fact that there are currently many outstanding college library web sites, there are some from which librarians at other institutions can learn so that they, in turn, can enhance their own sites.
In choosing sites, we followed a number of guidelines. The pool of potential libraries consists of those schools having Carnegie classifications at the baccalaureate or master's levels with student enrollment less than 5000. The aim is to include as many college and small university libraries as possible. Second, we will make every effort to choose libraries from different regions of the country each month, with each of the fifty states, and the District of Columbia, being represented at least once.
As each web site was carefully examined, attention was given to the following factors:
1. Ease of access -- timely connection with a relatively quick load of graphics
2. Content -- useful and relevant, containing breadth and depth, and characterized by accuracy
3. Currency -- an indication of the last update of the site
4. Design -- an eye-catching and appealing overall look, effective use of graphics related to a page's theme, and consistent layout
5. Navigation -- features such as a link back to the home page, site search capability, and site layout.
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Distance Education services
Most noteworthy is the Library's Common Grounds blog, a forum for public service announcements to the patrons of Dickinson State University's Stoxen Library, maintained by the library staff. Great way to keep connected. Before leaving the Stoxen Library whose current Interim Library Director is Rita Ennen, take note of the fact that the official name of this Library, built in 1961, is Matilda Stoxen Library, named for longtime librarian Matilda Stoxen. An exceptional tribute to our profession. |
January 2008
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Prescott College Library: http://www.prescott.edu/Library/ |
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The New Year finds us in the 48th state where tourists visit Tombstone, the Painted Desert at the Petrified Forest National Park and the Grand Canyon. Arizona is also home to Prescott College located in the mountain town of Prescott. This independent, liberal arts college was established in 1966 by the Ford Foundation which gathered a group of national educators and challenged them to create the ideal college for the future. The Prescott College Library networks with more than 30 libraries in Yavapai County. The Library website maintains the College's web branding and provides a wealth of online information as well as access to its resources. Noteworthy online resources to check out are:
Library Director Eileen Chalfoun and the Library's staff are to be commended for providing a compact and appealing website that services their Community. | ||
December 2007
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Manhattanville College: http://www.mville.edu/Library/ |
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As we prepare to bid 2007 adieu, let’s take a look at this year’s last website of the month. December finds us in Purchase, New York visiting the website of Manhattanville College Library. North of New York City near the Connecticut state border, Manhattanville College began as a Catholic boarding school for girls in 1841 in Manhattan, but now, after several location moves and rebuilding, is co-educational and non-denominational with graduate schools in business and education. The Library’s homepage mirrors Mville’s homepage – text and graphics are framed within the outline of Mville’s campus landmark Castle, the former estate of Whitelaw Reid. Multicolored text boxes and colorful photos have a stylish flair on the homepage and on most of the linked documents throughout. The search box for the catalog and databases as well as off campus access & search help is centrally located within its own colorful frame. All services and support information are accessible from the homepage – a great help for patrons who often become frustrated searching for resources and answers. Check out the great online documents for Research help and Special Collections. Don’t overlook the well-designed newsletter (PDF). Considering the quantity of information on the homepage, Library Director, Rhonna Goodman and staff have created an exceptionally accessible and user friendly resource for their patrons. | ||
November 2007
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Columbia College: http://www.columbiacollegesc.edu/ |
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The Capital of Southern Hospitality (that’s Columbia, South Carolina!) is home to one of the top ranked comprehensive undergraduate colleges in the South. Columbia College founded in 1854 as Columbia Female College by representatives of the South Carolina Methodist Conference continues its original mission "to educate young women for fruitful service to church, state and nation." The J. Drake Edens Library, named after one of the College’s benefactors, provides a welcoming homepage of its services. Six sections lead the user to resources: Find Books, Find Articles, Remote Access, Find WWW Resources, Library Resources Guides and Help for Students and Faculty. The left column of links provides informational support, e.g. Library Hours, FAQs, and Locating Materials. Check out the link that provides updated photos of the Vandiver Reference Center renovation project – a great way to keep patrons informed. The homepage’s layout, font and colors reflect the nature of the women’s college it supports. John C. Pritchett, Director of the Library and the staff are to be commended for demonstrating Columbia’s renowned Southern Hospitality via the Library’s homepage. | ||
October 2007
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Christopher Newport University: : http://www.cnu.edu/ |
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We sail into Newport News, Virginia this October and take a look at a relatively new institution. Christopher Newport University was founded in 1960 as a two-year branch of the College of William and Mary. CNU became independent in 1977 and a university in 1992. The beautiful campus is home to the Captain John Smith Library. Both School and Library were named for explorers; the former honors one of England's greatest sea-captains connected with early Virginia enterprise, the latter an adventurer, explorer, and author, who landed with the colonists at Jamestown in 1607. The Library's homepage has a visually pleasing layout, reminiscent of the alluring charms of the sea with its bold, nautical blue color and sailboat icons (the University's branding). Quick links to the Library's services are listed on the left. To the right are four sections, Find, Services, Research Assistance and About, that provide easy access to the Library's services and support information. Within these four sections are many online documents that keep the patron connected and informed: Research Assistance Request includes tips and a request form to set up a meeting with a librarian; Citing Research Materials contains the top eight style manuals from ACS to Turabian; twenty-seven Info-to-Go handouts; and the CNU Library Blog. University Librarian Mary Sellen and the staff of the Captain John Smith Library as well as the entire CNU Community are currently awaiting the completion of its new library, tentatively scheduled for December 2007. A preview PowerPoint presentation on the homepage provides a glimpse of the new building's interior and exterior. | ||
September 2007
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Lewis-Clark State College: http://www.lcsc.edu/ |
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Don’t blink – you’re not seeing double. Idaho has also honored Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with a namesake college. Established as a normal school in 1893 on 10 acres of a barren, sandy hill in Lewiston, this institution championed its pioneering spirit of discovery and exploration when it was renamed Lewis-Clark State College in 1971. The Library’s homepage, a mix of graphic and text, provides links to all services. The centrally located search box for the Library catalog is flanked on the left by more than a dozen links, such as Frequently Asked Questions, Research Tools (By Subject) and both a Library map and a virtual Library Tour. To the right is a What’s New textbox that highlights employment opportunities, a reminder to Instant Message the Information Desk for assistance and the current hours – the patrons must appreciate the detailed listing of hours and exceptions for the entire semester. Director Sue Niewenhous and the Library staff provide access to the Library’s resources and services most commendably. Check out the following up-to-date features:
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August 2007
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Champlain College: http://www.champlain.edu/ |
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August takes us northeast to our 14th state named after its scenic and historic Green Mountains. Famous for its legendary fall foliage and its delectable maple syrup, Vermont's largest city, Burlington, is home to Champlain College, founded in 1878. This picturesque private institution overlooking Lake Champlain was ranked by U.S. News America's Best Colleges 2007 in the top tier of the Best Comprehensive colleges in the North. The Champlain College Library certainly contributes to this distinction. The Champlain College Library is located in the Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Information Commons (MIC). This academic center integrates the resources of a traditional library with advanced technologies. Library Director Janet Cottrell and the staff provide a visually pleasant homepage. The links clearly identify the Library's services and resources to their patrons. The Find sections as well as the Research Advice, Library Services and For Faculty sections illustrate the Library's mission as stated by Cottrell in the latest annual report (PDF): "...we secure and deploy the best available technology to support students and faculty in their information needs...." Take note of two helpful online links:
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July 2007
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Christian Brothers University: http://www.cbu.edu/ |
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Midsummer finds us in the Volunteer State. When we head towards the hometown of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Graceland, we discover Plough Library on the 75-acre wooded campus of Christian Brothers University, located in the heart of midtown Memphis, Tennessee. The Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded Christian Brothers College in 1871. In 1990 the College became a university; twenty years earlier in 1970 the College became co-educational, which was only one year after the construction of Plough Library. The homepage of the Plough Library (whose director's position is currently vacant) presents a helpful layout of the services and support that a patron welcomes and expects. Note two items in the section entitled Get Research Help: an interactive tutorial – Research Road Trip and a quick guide – Citing Sources. Under the section What’s New, two more noteworthy items deserve attention:
Before leaving Plough Library, check out the Brother I. Leo O'Donnell Archives which provides a glimpse of the Library’s unique, in-house contents. | ||
June 2007
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Southern Utah University, Gerald R. Sherratt Library: http://www.li.suu.edu/ |
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The natural wonders of the Beehive State include Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. But our 45th state can be proud of other attractions, namely, the Gerald R. Sherratt Library on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. The 109 year old SUU which began as a teacher training institution now serves as the region's student-centered, comprehensive institute of higher learning. Its library is named after the university president who served from 1982 to 1997. Sherratt's home page provides a list of user-friendly links on the left side while on the right side the revolving, half-page photographs of the facility and its users are most inviting. The About the Library link leads the user to almost 20 policy documents from Archives & Records Policy to Wireless Notebook Circulation Policy as well as several reports including the impressive Annual Report. The Research Guides link contains a respectable listing of online documents. Diana Graff, Dean of Library Services, and the Sherratt staff need to be commended for these noteworthy digital collections:
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May 2007
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The originally featured website of the month of May is currently undergoing a total redesign at this time. The review that had been listed is no longer accurate, so we decided to remove it. Please visit us June 1 as we travel to another one of our great states. |
April 2007
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East Central University: http://www.ecok.edu/ |
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Let the wind sweep you down the plain to one of the three normal schools established in 1909 in the Sooner State, Oklahoma. Ada is where you will find East Central University known for its pioneering efforts to promote access to handicapped students. Adrianna Lancaster is the director of Linsheid Library, named after Adolph Linsheid, a former University president. The Library's home page, framed by ECU's bright orange trademark color, presents clear and direct access to its resources. Linsheid Library's website design and contents definitely reflect the mission and vision of the University itself - being Oklahoma's premier student-centered regional university. The online catalog is well-situated in a text box above an entrance photo of the Library's entrance. The three main sections: Resources, Library Services and About the Library, provide comprehensive coverage. Noteworthy online features include: self-guided materials in PDF that provide research help; Library modules that contain Library terms and web overview; research guides for 24 disciplines that highlight in-house resources as well as Internet sites. | ||
March 2007
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Lewis & Clark College: http://www.lclark.edu/ |
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March finds CLS heading towards the West coast state nicknamed the Beaver State, home of Mt. Hood and Crater Lake – Oregon. Once in Portland you'll find The Aubrey R. Watzek Library on the campus of Lewis & Clark College which was founded as The Albany Collegiate Institute in 1867. Director Jim Kopp oversees the Library and a website which provides excellent access to its services and collections. The welcoming photographs centrally positioned on the Library's homepage are flanked by two columns of links to information, Special Collections, the catalog and a Library News section that contains a recently enhanced (February 2007) listing of new acquisitions. Most notable digital features on Watzek's website include:
Director Kopp and the Watzek Library staff should be commended for the use of cutting edge technology - a noteworthy fact recognized on the College's website. | ||
January/February 2007
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Bradley University: http://library.bradley.edu/ |
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Our first website for 2007 comes from the Cullom-Davis Library on the campus of Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, where Barbara Galik serves as Executive Director of the Library. This user-friendly website holds its own among the Prairie State's almost two-hundred institutes of higher learning. The pleasing two-tone design has minimum graphics for easy loading. Prominent features on this homepage include a centrally positioned QUICK SEARCH field, easily identifiable Library information links, and two columns of resource and obtaining materials links. Two features on the lower right reflect the Director's philosophy of interaction and participation. The first feature, Talk Back, provides the links for the Library's blogs and wikis as well as other means of communication. The second feature, Did You Know?, provides a rotating advertisement that highlights special aspects of the collection. Most noteworthy is the Director's blog, accessible from the homepage and humorously entitled, "Can we talk? Blogging with Barbara, the Library Director." This refreshing feature illustrates her keeping up with the younger (and maybe not so young) patron base. | ||
November/December 2006
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Two from New Hampshire: |
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While New Hampshire, the Granite State, may not have a large number of college and small university libraries, it does offer two sites that are worthy of your review. Both sites are characterized by a most tasteful and effective use of colors and graphics, and they feature as well straightforward access to library resources and services through uncluttered pages. Daniel Webster College in Nashua - http://www.dwc.edu/library/index.shtml Saint Anselm College in Manchester - http://www.anselm.edu/library/ | ||
September/October 2006
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College of Saint Mary: http://www.csm.edu/Academics__Majors/Library/ |
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For the next two months, The Cornhusker State, Nebraska, is our featured state. Students, faculty, and others affiliated with the College of Saint Mary in Omaha should find their library's web site to be quite user-friendly and effective (according to the page, the director's position is currently vacant). The site employs an aesthetically pleasing combination of blue and beige with an appropriate degree of contrast. The generally blue text on the beige background is both attractive and quite legible, and the pages contain a good balance between text and open space. Pages are nicely framed, which gives the viewer an impression of self-containment and a situation under control. Confirming this perception are the manageable and reasonable number of options available to users together with a relative lack of jargon. Pages have headings such as the catalog, resources, services, hours, off-campus users, policies, and staff. As a result, users should have no or limited difficulty navigating around the pages. While the range of resources and services is not over-simplified, neither is it unnecessarily complex and confusing. Be sure to check out the pages at http://www.csm.edu/Academics__Majors/Library/. | ||
July/August 2006
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Montana State University-Northern: http://www.msun.edu/infotech/library/ |
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The next state featured is Montana, Big Sky Country. While the choice was difficult, it's worth your while to take a look at the site of Montana State University-Northern's Vande Bogart Library (http://www.msun.edu/infotech/library/). Cynthia Harrison serves as Director. The content and formats of the pages give the distinct impression that the library focuses consistently on student needs and preferences. The links are precise and easy to understand, with a great deal of useful information pulled together without reinventing the wheel. Check out the links to the Coffee Cart menu as well as the MSUN Student Web Page. Especially noteworthy is the How Do I? page, which contains a number of neat features such as links to vendor database tutorials. The homepage is aesthetically pleasing in its reflection of the school colors, with the colors reversed when clicking on links from the sidebar. Finally, a new image appears each time the page is renewed. | ||
May/June 2006
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Millsaps College: http://library.millsaps.edu/library/ |
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With the arrival of spring, we head to The Magnolia State, Mississippi. The spotlight is on the Millsaps-Wilson Library of Millsaps College (http://library.millsaps.edu/library/) in Jackson. Tom Henderson is College Librarian The homepage is characterized by three main sections-Search Tools, Information & Services, and Getting help-in addition to contact information, library news, and commonly used forms. In addition, there is a judicious use of graphics and a well-coordinated color scheme in addition to the use of tabs as links on the subpages. | ||
March/April 2006
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Northwestern College: http://nwc.nwc.edu/index.php?id=687 |
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Our attention now shifts to the North Star State, the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes, or Minnesota. In St. Paul, let's visit the Web page of Northwestern College's Berntsen Library, whose director is Ruth McGuire. You can connect to the page at http://nwc.nwc.edu/index.php?id=687. The site makes highly judicious use of image rollovers to provide a good sense of the library. The pages typically are characterized by a combination of concise, useful information and an appropriate amount of open space. The user, whether experienced or not, can navigate easily through the site by the use of only seven categories—the catalog, databases, Web gateway, about us, guides, contact the library, and hours. It's never difficult to quickly get to your next destination. | ||
January/February 2006
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William Woods University: http://www.williamwoods.edu/category.asp?73 |
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2006 brings us to the “Show Me” state, Missouri, and we take pleasure in featuring the Web page of William Woods University in Fulton (http://www.williamwoods.edu/category.asp?73). The Library Director is Erlene Dudley. The page is characterized by three noteworthy characteristics: 1. it is very aesthetically pleasing due to its tasteful use of colors and placement of boxes without giving the page a boxy look or feeling; 2. the page contains a most effective balance between the amount of text and blank space on each page; and 3. the number of options available to the user is not overwhelming, as it consists of four sub-pages dealing with library resources and an equal number of sub-pages dealing with services and general information. | ||
November/December 2005
| Aquinas College: http://www.aquinas.edu/library | ||
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Michigan, the Wolverine State, is known for a number of college and small university libraries, and we are pleased to feature one of them this month. You'll enjoy taking a look at the Web pages (http://www.aquinas.edu/library) for Woodhouse Library of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. Francine Paolini and Shellie Jeffries serve as Acting Co-Directors. The color scheme is aesthetically pleasing and may be seasonal as the pages convey a strong autumn look and feel. As a result, the pages are attractive and welcoming, with the Librarian Pick of the Month a prominent feature. Fewer than a dozen buttons guide users to all areas of library resources and services. Connecting is easy and graphics load quickly. Virtually every page contains a link back to the home page, which makes for easy navigation. An interesting feature is a link to the syllabus for the library's GE103 course—an introduction to information literacy. | ||
September/October 2005
| Assumption College : http://www.assumption.edu/dept/library/libraryindex.html | ||
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This month, we visit The Bay State-Massachusetts The main pages for institutions of higher education, corporations, and other organizations or agencies typically contain one or more drop down menus to guide users to the appropriate area. However, libraries seem to make relatively little use of these menus on their pages. Therefore, we offer this site to promote greater consideration of the appropriate use of drop down menus by college and small university libraries. | ||
July/August 2005
| Washington College : http://www.libraryweb.washcoll.edu | ||
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For July and August, we feature a library from Maryland, the Old Line State. Our featured library is the Clifton M. Miller Library of Washington College in Chestertown, with Dr. Ruth Shoge as Director. The site is characterized by its breadth and depth of content without overwhelming the viewer, its useful and relevant content, its ease of navigation and site search capability, and lastly, its very attractive and appealing design with effective use of illustrations and a consistent color scheme. Specifically, the page places appropriate emphasis on library and information resources/research tools with easy links for finding books, articles, newspapers, government information, and web sites. It also offers a quick find option for using databases and reference sources as well as FAQs relating to library resources and services. Take a look at this site: Clinton M. Miller Library | ||
May/June 2005
| Baker University : http://www.bakeru.edu/library/index.htm | ||
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To view a definitely user-friendly library web site, be sure to take a look at this month's feature-Collins Library of Baker University in Baldwin City, KS (http://www.bakeru.edu/library/index.htm ). Kay Bradt is the Director of Library Services at this academic library in the Sunflower State. The site doesn't overwhelm users in that it offers four basic options: search, services, collections, and about us. The site is characterized by ease of access and navigation, useful and relevant information, and the effective use of graphics. A very nice, and somewhat unusual, feature is a logo indicating the library as "The Heart of the University." | ||
| Bates College : http://abacus.bates.edu/library | ||
| This month, we feature a web site from Maine, the Pine Tree State. Please direct your attention to the pages of the Ladd Library of Bates College (http://abacus.bates.edu/library). You will note the appealing design, with its clean and crisp look. Also of interest are the embedded quick catalog and quick reserves searches on the main page as well as the subject listing of indexes and databases. Eugene Wiemers is the Librarian of Bates College. | ||
| Simpson College : http://www.simpson.edu/library/index.html | ||
| This month, CLS is pleased to feature the website of Dunn Library at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, the Hawkeye State. Cynthia Dyer (dyer@simpson.edu) serves as College Librarian. With only six options for the user, the site still provides both breadth and depth of content that is current as well. Through the effective use of colors and images and a consistent layout, the design is user-friendly, eye-catching, and aesthetically appealing. The page can be accessed at: http://www.simpson.edu/library/index.html. Next month, we feature Maine, the Pine Tree State. | ||
February/March 2005
| Centenary College of Louisiana: http://www.centenary.edu/library | ||
| From the Pelican State, Louisiana, this month's featured library website belongs to Centenary College of Louisiana, http://www.centenary.edu/library. As you browse through the library's pages, you will notice the concise, but effective, overview of key information about the library on the home page as well as the list of key links along the left margin so that one can navigate through the pages without having to return to the home page. | ||
| Earlham College: http://www.earlham.edu/~libr | ||
| After careful review, this month's featured site is that of Earlham College in Richmond, IN, http://www.earlham.edu/~libr. Note how the pages are simple and uncluttered, but extremely effective. | ||
Web Site of the Month guidelines
Librarians realize that a library web site, in addition to enhancing access to a library's resources and services, serves in general as a major means of communication with current and future users.
As a result, the CLS Communications Committee is pleased to offer a new service/feature commencing in January 2005. The College Library Web Site of the Month features one site that the committee feels is noteworthy. While the committee recognizes the fact that there are currently many outstanding college library web sites, there are some from which librarians at other institutions can learn so that they, in turn, can enhance their own sites.
In choosing sites, we followed a number of guidelines. The pool of potential libraries consists of those schools having Carnegie classifications at the baccalaureate or master's levels with student enrollment less than 5000. The aim is to include as many college and small university libraries as possible. Second, we will make every effort to choose libraries from different regions of the country each month, with each of the fifty states, and the District of Columbia, being represented at least once.
As each web site was carefully examined, attention was given to the following factors:
1. Ease of access -- timely connection with a relatively quick load of graphics
2. Content -- useful and relevant, containing breadth and depth, and characterized by accuracy
3. Currency -- an indication of the last update of the site
4. Design -- an eye-catching and appealing overall look, effective use of graphics related to a page's theme, and consistent layout
5. Navigation -- features such as a link back to the home page, site search capability, and site layout.
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Last update: November 2009 Comments or questions? Contact the Web Editor |