NEWS RELEASE
April 11, 2008
OPL children's website recognized as one of best on Internet
Ottawa - The Ottawa Public Library's (OPL) children's website has been selected as an official Webby Award honouree. The Webby Awards are recognized as the leading international honour for the Internet.
The OPL website, Bopl's Book Club was conceived by local communications firm 76design based on learning outcomes for literacy supplied by OPL staff. Less than 15 per cent of the 8,000 websites entered qualified for the honouree designation, which recognizes outstanding web design and functionality.
Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Award is the leading international award honouring excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile websites. The awards are judged by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization that includes David Bowie, Harvey Weinstein, Arianna Huffington, AKQA Global Creative Director Rei Inamoto, Matt Groening, Jamie Oliver, Internet inventor Vinton Cerf, and RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser. The Webby Awards and The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences are registered trademarks of International Data Group. For more information, visit www.iadas.net.
"The Webby Awards honours the outstanding work that is setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "Bopl's Book Club, an Official Honouree selection, is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators."
"This is a tremendous thrill for the Ottawa Public Library," said OPL Children's and Teen Services Manager Jane Venus, "and a tribute to OPL staff who worked closely with the talented professionals at 76design to produce this award winning website for children."
Bopl's Book Club, named after the OPL's mascot Bopl, the fire-reading dragon, is a safe, interactive website that celebrates reading for children. On this website young readers can create their own book-based pages with book reviews, games, quizzes and even "lost chapters" of their favourite books. As children master their reading skills, the website encourages children to take the first steps in becoming critical readers. Bopl's Book Club makes reading a shared online activity by making it easy to contribute book reviews, see what others are reading and reviewing, and comment on it. Visit this award winning website at kids.biblioottawalibrary.ca.
Parents and children have responded positively to the interactive website featuring the OPL's lovable mascot. "Though the OPL website I introduced my three-year old son to Bopl (about 2 months ago). Over time it has become such a popular feature of our home that my son has learned the alphabet through it (phonics, shapes and words). He knows exactly how to operate the computer to 'play' Bopl and he constantly demands to play with him whenever he is free. I am happy because he is learning by leaps and bounds. English is not even our first language," said Mrs. Zaineb Vigas, an appreciative parent.
"It was a real treat for our staff to work with the professionals at the Ottawa Public Library. They were very supportive of our vision for a website that encourages kids to write book reviews for each other." said Mr. John Sobol, Senior Consultant at 76design. "Their enthusiasm for this exciting project demonstrated a level of institutional commitment to innovation shown by very few clients. I think this international honour confirms that our collaboration on this project was a great success." Find out more about 76design at: www.76design.com/
The Ottawa Public Library is very proud to be in select company on the Internet with the other honourees in the youth category including websites promoting the interests of corporate giants Disney, Sony, MTV and others. The OPL's commitment to bring entertaining and interactive online activities to children in order to promote early literacy and the love of reading are reflected in this international recognition.
For more information:
Alan Roberts, Manager
Community Programming and Partnerships
Ottawa Public Library
613-580-2424, ext. 41240, cell 613-222-9462