Week One Readings - Part 2

Each of the links below will take you to an excellent article on what constitutes a good library web site. Skim them all, then choose one to read in depth.

The one I chose to read in depth is :
Ten Essentials for Any Library Site By Brian Mathews -- Library Journal, 02/15/2009
1) Promotion - "ultimate sales tool". Placement important, sidebars and footers easily ignored. Update content regularly so "people don't just tune out". A site that does not require updating at school is essential if content is to be kept current. Also calendaring time to update regularly
2) Segmentation - "communicate with our users in a manner that is most effective for them". Consider developing multiple pages to meet the needs of each of your main users. For PHS perhaps students, staff, and parents.
3) Visual Clues - use icons to break up the monotony of text. This seems at odds to some of the articles that suggest you limit graphics to just what is essential. Perhaps this is a revision from older web site design criteria.
4) Inspiring Photos - help people get to know your library by selecting pictures that show distinctive features, the personality of the library. Choose wisely and reduce clutter. This might be a good time to update the PHS Virtual tour. Maybe an assignment using Web 2.0 tools for a library assistant.
5) Search Boxes - add a search box to every page, perhaps in the navigation bar. They suggest a federated search bar. I only wish I was so talented or had the money to really make this happen. I can however, add a Google search bar for the site. I'm not sure if I want it to be on the prime real estate navigation bar.
6) Mobile-Friendly Pages - "The future of web design is planning for the portable experience." This is something I want to do this summer while developing the new design. I will follow up with the professor for some additional reading/help.
7) Feedback - provide a way for patrons to give their compliments, complaints and concerns. Post responses to feedback so that the community can become "more actively engaged with the library". I am bad about the evaluation piece. It is required for my TLC so this is a good way of going about it.
8) Redundancy - "People interpret things differently." Build into your website numerous ways to find things. Be careful with vocabulary, try not to use library-talk.
9) Analytics - install Google Analytics to see how your site is used. Look at popularity of pages and click patterns. Look, analyze and then rework regularly.
10) An Easy Way To Ask for Help - Make it as easy as possible to ask. Don't bury the Ask-A- Librarian link. "Meebo is great because it presents web visitors with a simple textbox eliminating the need for them to log in install software or click any further." Work on Meebo again with Mark Ludwig at DO.