ERIC Number: EJ939044
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Nov
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0004-9670
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Building Virtual Spaces for Children in the Digital Branch
DuBroy, Michelle
Australian Library Journal, v59 n4 p211-223 Nov 2010
Purpose: A digital branch is just like a physical branch except that content is delivered digitally via the web. A digital branch has staff, a collection, a community, and a building. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of building individual spaces for different user groups, specifically children, within a digital branch. Methodology: A literature review provides a framework from which several library web spaces for children are considered. Findings: Public libraries have multiple and inconsistent identities because they serve a public that is by nature inconsistent. The varying needs of the library users must be considered when designing a public library website. Children have special needs in the digital environment. Features that children enjoy may irritate adult users. Children need to learn in an emotionally supportive environment. Images, motivation, and play must be used to overcome any negative feelings that a child may encounter during the information seeking process. In general, children's web portals should be visual and customisable. In the experience economy, users want to engage and interact with content in a personal and meaningful way and an engaging experience may lead to increased customer loyalty. Every child and every adult is unique. Personalization may offer a way to meet individual user needs while engaging them in a meaningful experience. Personalization will allow a library to go beyond creating spaces for individual user groups and allow them to create spaces for each individual user. (Contains 6 figures.)
Descriptors: Public Libraries, Information Seeking, Internet, Library Services, Electronic Libraries, Children, Play, Imagination, Web Sites, User Needs (Information), Childhood Needs
Australian Library and Information Association. P.O. Box 6335, Kingston 2604, Australia. Tel: +61-2-6215-8222; Fax: +61-2-6282-2249; e-mail: enquiry@alia.org.au; Web site: http://www.alia.org.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A