Winner
The Charles Booth Online Archive
Library, The London School of Economics and Political Science
www.lse.ac.uk/booth
Serious researchers and those with a new interest in family history have recorded their delight in the web site created to promote the Charles Booth Collection. The website has the advantage of reducing research time, preventing the wear and tear of a valuable archive and making a rich collection accessible to a worldwide audience.
This project is also proof, if ever needed, that the Library of the London School of Economics & Political Science takes a professional approach in managing complex projects.
The Charles Booth online Archive is an outstanding entry that is a model for the digitization of other collections.
The London School of Economics and Political Science is the worthy winner of this category.
Highly Commended (jointly awarded)
East Ayrshire Library, Registration and Information Services
www.4ureaders.net
East Ayrshire embarked on a difficult task. Gaining credibility with 11-18 age group does not come automatically. The website is well-constructed, easy to use and does away with library and education speak, replacing it with friendly vocabulary.
The judges were pleased to see young people involved in the design and content. They have taken an imaginative approach to the promotion of this site within schools, libraries and retail outlets.
East Ayrshire Library and Registration Unit is highly commended for the effort they made to involve the target audience in design and for the innovative approach to the promotion of their website.
Highly Commended (jointly awarded)
Ask Chris website
Essex libraries
www.essexcc.gov.uk/askchris
An ambitious project to provide a website for new adult readers to encourage their involvement through interactive features and design. Essex have achieved an attractive easy - to - use site featuring book reviews, links to book clubs and ideas on what to read next. The judges were pleased to see the care and attention paid to design appropriate for visually impaired people.
Considerable thought was also given to promotion. This resulted in the publication of an attractive booklet containing an easy to use glossary, and a guide to the site.
The 15,000 hits and 200 reviews generated by participants proved that this is a popular site. It has won accolades from users and also compliments from the library profession.