New York Public Library's "On-Lion" for Kids

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By Walter Minkel -- School Library Journal, 02/01/1998

As a lover of puns, good and otherwise, I was immediately attracted to NYPL's "On-Lion" page. NYPL requests that people use quotation marks when referring to the site; I think the pun embarrasses them a little. I don't understand why; it's so perfect, especially with the classic picture of the NYPL lions from James Daugherty's Andy and the Lion (Viking, 1938) on the home page. The lion footprint graphic that accompanies each directory option is also appealing. It's the comfortable balance between simple design and good content that moved me to choose "On-Lion" as February's Web Site of the Month.

"On-Lion" contains, as do most library sites, a worthwhile directory of Web resources; its collection of resources on New York City at www.nypl.org/branch/kids/nyc.html is worth a look. The "New York, New York" page links to sites for the city's major museums, sports teams, and historical attractions.

Susan Pine, Materials Specialist for the NYPL Office of Children's Services, also chairs its Internet Advisory Committee, which runs "On-Lion." The site was born in August 1996 when the committee, "all of whom eagerly volunteered," sat down to design a children's services home page, said Pine. Members organized links into collections such as "Authors, Books, and Characters."

Until recently, their choices could not incorporate large graphics or files because most NYPL branches didn't have adequate computers. Even now, Pine said, committee members don't always have easy access to terminals to be able to search for new links. But this is slowly changing, she said.

What's most valuable are the site's booklists on topics such as Asian-American and Hispanic heritage and the sure-to-be-requested winter holidays. The "Celebrate Winter" list at www.nypl.org/branch/kids/winter.html, for example, lists fiction, poetry, and nonfiction for a variety of age levels.

"On-Lion" also features special events throughout the year. Past successes include a "Drop Everything and Read" Book Quiz and a page for the summer reading program. What's next? "We're looking forward to setting up an online author and/or illustrator chatroom," said Pine, who can be reached at Susan_Pine@nypl.orgz.