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ERIC Number: EJ922997
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Dec-1
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0362-8930
EISSN: N/A
The Big App: New York's Libraries Take Homework Help Mobile--With a Little Help from Their Friends
Braun, Linda W.
School Library Journal, v56 n12 p49-51 Dec 2010
HomeworkNYC Apps is a suite of tools designed to provide around-the-clock help to the estimated 1.3 million children and teens served by the libraries of New York City. Aimed at being a one-stop shop for all things homework related, the HomeworkNYC website offers access to library catalogs and databases, browsable subject guides, and even real-time homework help provided by teachers during after-school hours through a Dial-a-Teacher program. This expansive set of resources sounded great--to adults, but not to young people, who normally frequent Facebook, Wikipedia, Google, YouTube, email, and chat. Seeing that the site was not being used as intended, the project team went straight to the targeted users to learn how the library could better serve them. Bringing homework resources directly into Facebook and other sites commonly used by young people seemed like a winning idea from the start. The HomeworkNYC Apps planning team realized early on in the redevelopment phase that having kids involved in the design process every step of the way is the key to make sure these tools truly work for potential users.
Library Journals, LLC. Available from: Media Source, Inc. 160 Varick Street 11th Floor, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 646-380-0700; Fax: 646-380-0756; e-mail: info@mediasourceinc.com; Web site: http://www.mediasourceinc.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A