Quality+Library+Websites

= Library Websites = Each of the websites chosen were chosen more for their kids section layouts, activities, and information pages rather than for the library's whole website, although many of these websites also have great adult, reference, reader's advisory, adult informational resources, ESL education, and catalogs. As a children's librarian, the website area denoted to kids will be integral to my library use, my reference capabilities, and encouraging patron's to use the site. Those that are user friendly, well-laid out, and balanced on the page are great resources. Thus, when I looked at websites, I noted the overall layout first and then linked specifically to the kids pages.

= Hennepin County Public Library "KidLinks" =
 * "Kids Links" features polls and links to the children's blog on the Kidlinks page. Also features links out to the catalog, literacy components for "grownups," links to games, books, and a homework help section. The prime feature is the layout with colorful bubbles and plenty of white space.
 * All of these pages could help me to model my own site in the future.
 * Hennepin County Public Library is a well-known library in the United States. The kids department is also notable and, thus, this was one of the first sites I checked.

1. "Kidlinks." 2012. Hennepin County Public Library. 20 Apr. 2012. [].

= The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County "KidSpace" =
 * The "KidSpace" is interactive, allowing viewers to personalize the space. Nonfiction links and links to library accounts are also available on the front page. The standard Homework Help, books, grownups, and fun stuff links are also located at the top. The front page also features a slideshow with book of the month links, reviews, and cartoons.
 * All of these pages could help me to model my own site in the future.
 * Dana Backs used to work for this library system and mentioned the library's site in one of my courses.

2. "KidSpace." 2011. Cincinnati Library. 20 Apr. 2011. [].

= Brooklyn Public Library "Kids and Teens" =
 * The Brooklyn Public Library "Kids and Teens" page is interesting because the two sections are lumped together in a hub. From the hub, you can go to the separate sections. There is also a "first five years" section that is likely for parent use. In each of the sections, as well as the hub, the library's homework help is very apparent and it is clear the system is promoting the service or at least making it apparent to patrons. Each section offers books suggestions. The teen section specifically links out to a lot of sites where patrons can submit short fiction or poetry, which is something I have heard libraries use, but is not something I have seen firsthand before this. The earlier years section includes links to a Scholastic service called Bookflix, as well as rhyme times and other activities to do with babies and toddlers.
 * All of these pages could help me to model my own site in the future.
 * I first encountered this page via popular library sites for kids and teens when doing research for this wiki.

3. "Kids & Teens." 2012. Brooklyn Public Library. 20 Apr. 2012. [].

= Johnson County Library "Kids" =
 * The Johnson County Library is located in Kansas and the whole website is extremely nicely laid out for what does not look like a super expensive web endeavor. The front page is sleek and features picture links to various pages the library is promoting. Moving on to the "Kids" section, the space is darling. There is an airplane that zooms around the top of the page, currently toting a Dr. Seuss quote. All of the most important pages are laid out on the left side of the page, including a librarian's blog, award winning books, events and homework help. Unique features include a "Listen to a Story" section and a "Featured Booklist" section, which I imagine is difficult to keep up with but still pretty cool. The most prominent part of the page is devoted to staff picks.
 * All of these pages could help me to model my own site in the future.
 * Christina Jones at MCPL recommended this site to me when I was first researching children's sites.

4. "Kids." 2012. Johson County Library, Kan. 20 Apr. 2012. [].

= Toronto Public Library "Kids Space" =
 * The Toronto Library's "Kids Space" is colorful and actually nicely laid out and easy on the eyes, which is different from the library's home page which is extremely busy and still manages to have too much white space. Like some of the other sites the home page to the "Kids Space" acts as a hub to sections that then have individual pages. "Hear a Story" and "Read A Story" section are available, as well as sections for preschoolers and for parents with information. One unique feature is the "Fun and Toronto" section which features a blog and links out to multiple cool things to do in the city, which would be a great resource for kids who were just visiting.
 * All of these pages could help me to model my own site in the future.
 * I encountered this site when I was researching library sites with exemplary kids sections.

5. "Kids Space." 2012. Toronto Public Library. 20 Apr. 2012. [].

= What I have learned: =

Some sites linked the kids and teen spaces together, which I feel may not be the best idea, since teens are often trying to differentiate from kids and children's literature and would rather identify with adults. However, having the sites linked was convenient. Another thing I noticed was that sites like Johnson County Public Library were way easier to browse simply because they put all of the highlights and stuff they wanted to promote front and center (or a little left) on the main kids page. The sites that chose to have section headings which forced me to click and then look at what came up under the section heading were way less user-friendly and less exciting. I can imagine kids would feel even more overwhelmed than I was, at least until kids were used to the site.