ERIC Number: EJ720354
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Oct
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1041-7915
EISSN: N/A
Include Your Patrons in Web Design. Computers in Small Libraries
Roberts, Gary
Computers in Libraries, v25 n9 p30, 32-33 Oct 2005
Successful Web publishing requires not only technical skills but also a refined sense of taste, a good understanding of design, and strong writing abilities. When designing a library Web page, a person must possess all of these talents and be able to market to a broad spectrum of patrons. As a result, library sites vary widely in their style and effectiveness. This author explains that, in order to design a good, usable library Web site, one must begin by understanding that the library's online home is meant to serve patrons first and librarians and professional staff second. He recommends directly asking the users for feedback, or better yet, including them in the design process. In his role as information systems and reference librarian at Herrick Library, Alfred University, Alfred, New York, he put this theory to work when redesigning their library Web site in 2004. Some of the lessons learned during this process were: (1) Web page design should be a group project; (2) Approach your patrons like a marketer; (3) Create a "safe" environment for discussion; and (4) Formulate a project goal.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A