You've heard of the Google Toolbar and the Yahoo Toolbar, and, of course, the OCLC- Yahoo Toolbar. Then there's the Groowe toolbar which combines several toolbars into one. It seems like just about every search engine offers its own browser toolbar in hopes that they will be your first choice when it comes to searching. But really, how many browser toolbars can one person use? But wait! How about a library toolbar branded with your very own library logo and offering easy access to YOUR library's resources! Stanford's Jackson Library's has one. I want one, too!
I'm just loving this idea. A custom, branded toolbar with options to search the library catalog, library databases, e-journals, even an "Ask Us" button! The question bouncing around library blogging circles is how did they do it?
I was curious. How hard is this to do? So, I did a Google search on "custom browser toolbars", and there are all sorts of options out there for creating your very OWN library toolbar. Dynamic Toolbar, the top choice on the list, is "a customizable Internet Explorer plug-in, that enables web site operators to provide users with a custom branded toolbar, that links to web content on their site." Several companies that would be happy to create a custom toolbar for you are listed in Google's sponsored links. Perhaps this isn't as hard as it looks.
The attorneys don't come into the library anymore, so we deserve some real estate on their browser, don't you think?
[Spotted on Librarian in Black]
Stanford's Jackson Library's toolbar is buit with Besttoolbars.net ToolbarStudio software. Do not miss your opportuninty to create the one for your library. The link is here:
http://www.besttoolbars.net/