summer reading 2.0

Jennifer Gal and Bridie Howell

Hamilton Public Library

designing an online summer reading experience in 4 easy steps

summer reading 2.0

- readers submit book reviews online,

earning prizes that can be picked up at

their local branch

- readers can also vote for their favourite

book from a selection of titles with the least

popular titles eliminated until a single book

remains – i.e. the “Next Top Novel”

- readers can review one of the selected

books to be entered in special prize draws

add book reviews find a space

add a shoutbox add a poll

find a space

www.blogger.com

If you plan on customizing your blog, select the simplest template to start with. “Minima” is a good option.

The HPL Teen Space Blog uses the “Minima” template customized with a header and background image.

select the

“Layout” tab

customize your site in the “Layout”

tab by adding “Gadgets”

add book reviews

www.wufoo.com

choose a generic URL if you plan

on creating multiple forms

the form name will be included

in the URL so make it simple

Wufoo has lots of

ready-made

form fields

insert a “Name” field

insert an “Email” field

insert a “Single Line Text”

field for the book title

indicate when a

field is required

insert a “Paragraph Text”

field for the book review

change the size of the field

use the “Multiple Choice” field for the rating

use a

“Dropdown” field to list

library branches

drag and drop to change the order

of your fields

select

“Form Settings” to setup email

confirmation

customize the

confirmation email

with prize info,

library hours etc.

setup email

notifications to alert staff to new

entries

you can include

as many email addresses as

needed

create a report

to compile and

sort your entries

create a report

to compile and

sort your entries

name your report

select your form

select “Datagrid”

to compile the

form information

select which

fields you want

included in the

report

sort your

information by

clicking on the

corresponding

heading

export your

report to Excel

select “Themes” to customize the

look of your

form

you can

customize a theme to match

your website

under the

“Forms” tab, select “Code” to share your form

use the URL if

you want to link to the form from

your website

copy the JavaScript code if

you want to embed the form

on your site

select “Add a Gadget”

select “HTML/JavaScript”

paste the code from Wufoo

paste the code from Wufoo

drag and drop this “Gadget” in

the desired location

drag and drop this “Gadget” in

the desired location

preview your

site with the

book review

form added

add a poll

www.polldaddy.com

create a poll

create a poll

add your titles,

using the green +

to add extra titles

select a closing

date for your poll

select “Media” to

add images,

i.e. book covers

select “Media” to

add images,

i.e. book covers

select one of the

ready-made

styles for your

poll

select

“Custom Style” to

design your own

copy the

JavaScript code for

your poll

select “Add a Gadget”

select “HTML/JavaScript”

paste the code from PollDaddy

paste the code from PollDaddy

if you don't name

your “Gadget” it

will appear as

“HTML/JavaScript”

preview your

site with the new

poll added

add a shoutbox

www.shoutmix.com

a “shoutbox”

allows users to

post comments

instantly

your Shoutbox ID

appears in the

URL for your

shoutbox

select

“Customize Size”

to adjust the width

and height

adjust the size to

fit your site

copy the

JavaScript code

for your shoutbox

select “Add a Gadget”

select “HTML/JavaScript”

paste the code from ShoutMix

paste the code from ShoutMix

drag and drop this “Gadget” in

the desired location

“anonymous”

can be so cruel

questions?