Thinking Differently About Library Websites
Beyond Your Preconceptions
Published on 30. April 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
32 pages
978-0-8389-3818-8 (ISBN)
Description
In this issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 58, no. 3), we'll look at the common preconceptions of library websites and web design and work toward understanding what makes a useful, relevant library website that is user-friendly.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicago, IL
United States
Publishing group
American Library Association
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 279 mm
Width: 216 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-8389-3818-8 (9780838938188)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Laura Solomon is the library services manager for the Ohio Public Library Information Network and a W3C-certified front-end web developer. She has been doing web development and design for more than twenty years, both in public libraries and as an independent consultant. She specializes in developing with Drupal. She is a 2010 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. She's written three books about social media and content marketing, specifically for libraries, and speaks nationally on both these and technology-related topics. As a former children's librarian, she enjoys bringing the fun of technology to audiences and giving libraries the tools they need to better serve the virtual customer.
Content
Chapter 1 - Overcoming Preconceptions of the Perfect Library Website: Anecdotes versus Research
There's No Such Thing as a Perfect Website
Website Work Begins with Education
Modern Web Building Is Far Beyond That Bit of HTML You Learned in Grad School
When It Comes to the Website, Are You Like a Climate Change Denier?
The Plural of Anecdote Is NOT Data
Note
Chapter 2 - Design for the User, Not the Staff
The Challenges of Library Web Design
Three Truths about Your Library's Website
What If Your Website Solved Problems?
Why Your Website Should Not Be a Special Snowflake
Why Do Web Myths Live On in Libraries?
Three Things You Can Learn from Other Websites
You Are Not a Patron. So Act Like It
Chapter 3 - Make Your Website Relevant and Useful
New Might Be Shiny . . . but Is It Useful?
Your Building Is Not Your Product
Your Home Page Isn't Nearly as Important as You Think It Is
Are You Designing for Something That Isn't There Anymore?
Widgets Are Cute. Get Rid of Them
Stop Putting Out the Welcome Mat
The "Three-Click Rule" Has Been Hogwash Since Its Inception
Notes
Chapter 4 - Easily Implementable Changes to Improve Your Website
Make Your Links and Buttons More Effective
Got Pictures? You're Missing a Step
Level Up Your Website with This One Little Thing
Make Search Less Painful for Your Users
Notes
Chapter 5 - Website Design Tips
Why I (Sort of) Hate Carousels and You Probably Should Too
Does Your Content Stink?
Stop Disenfranchising 25 Percent of Your Website's Users
You're Not in Control, and That's a Good Thing
Does Anybody Actually Work Here?
A Picture Says 1,000 Words. Sometimes, That's Too Many
Notes
Chapter 6 - Creating an Effective Web Presence
Nobody Is Reading Your Stuff
Where's the Payoff? Writing So People Give a Damn
Want a Better Presence Online? Get Over Yourself
Notes
There's No Such Thing as a Perfect Website
Website Work Begins with Education
Modern Web Building Is Far Beyond That Bit of HTML You Learned in Grad School
When It Comes to the Website, Are You Like a Climate Change Denier?
The Plural of Anecdote Is NOT Data
Note
Chapter 2 - Design for the User, Not the Staff
The Challenges of Library Web Design
Three Truths about Your Library's Website
What If Your Website Solved Problems?
Why Your Website Should Not Be a Special Snowflake
Why Do Web Myths Live On in Libraries?
Three Things You Can Learn from Other Websites
You Are Not a Patron. So Act Like It
Chapter 3 - Make Your Website Relevant and Useful
New Might Be Shiny . . . but Is It Useful?
Your Building Is Not Your Product
Your Home Page Isn't Nearly as Important as You Think It Is
Are You Designing for Something That Isn't There Anymore?
Widgets Are Cute. Get Rid of Them
Stop Putting Out the Welcome Mat
The "Three-Click Rule" Has Been Hogwash Since Its Inception
Notes
Chapter 4 - Easily Implementable Changes to Improve Your Website
Make Your Links and Buttons More Effective
Got Pictures? You're Missing a Step
Level Up Your Website with This One Little Thing
Make Search Less Painful for Your Users
Notes
Chapter 5 - Website Design Tips
Why I (Sort of) Hate Carousels and You Probably Should Too
Does Your Content Stink?
Stop Disenfranchising 25 Percent of Your Website's Users
You're Not in Control, and That's a Good Thing
Does Anybody Actually Work Here?
A Picture Says 1,000 Words. Sometimes, That's Too Many
Notes
Chapter 6 - Creating an Effective Web Presence
Nobody Is Reading Your Stuff
Where's the Payoff? Writing So People Give a Damn
Want a Better Presence Online? Get Over Yourself
Notes