The Communications Committee of the College Library Section of ACRL, recently chose Simpson College Dunn Library’s website as an outstanding example of its kind.

In choosing sites, the ACRL 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, the ACRL makes every effort to choose libraries from different regions of the country each month, with each of the 50 states, and the District of Columbia, being represented at least once.

According to Philip Swan, chair of the communications committee of the College Library Section-ACRL, as each website was 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.

Other nominees may be viewed at http://www.ala.org/ala/acrlbucket/cls/websiteofthemonth/index.htm

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