Springfield Twp. HS Virtual Library

An incredibly inspired, amusing, captivating opening page!  I've never seen anything like it and I want to do it too.  The pathfinders, database and catalog page, and the databases by subject, though, all need to take a cue from the Open Resources and College and Career pages.  I found the former pages confusing and overwhelming, which does very little in my opinion in turning the VLC client-side.  The latter two, however, are carefully organized both based on content and then visually on the page.  Each section allows the reader to peruse maybe 20 links at most, many have fewer than that.  I think one of the main points of the client-side organization is organization and embedded guidance.  So much of that guidance can be done visually--witness the fantastic opening drawing that leads the visitor happily through the VLC's many sections.  When it comes to the number of research options to offer MS and HS students in particular, more is not always better, and if the subject simply requires a large number of resources, when we shelve them virtually, we need to take the time to leave clear markers as to which resources will address what questions or what kinds of inquiry.  That way, when the student is encouraged to dive in and "see what you can find," he or she will first encounter our virtual presence having left not only a path but, anticipating how the student might progress through it, a model for successfully handling the tools.  It's challenging and time consuming, but I think this opening page demonstrates the success and worth of the effort.