Effective Library Website Design

10 Criteria

1.Easy navigation. The library website should be easy to use for all users. Navigation bars should be consistent through all pages so the user doesn’t become confused and lost. The Home page should always be accessible easily.

2.Appropriate for audience. The library website should be targeted to the audience it serves. If the library has multiple levels to its demographic, the website should be sectioned to represent this.

3.Updating/maintaining. Library websites are a source of information for their users, therefore, all information and links they contain need to be updated and maintained regularly so that users can be assured of the currency of the information when utilising the library website.

4.Popular technologies. Libraries need to keep abreast of technologies their users are using, so that they can incorporate these technologies into their own websites and go where their users are.

5.Location, location, location. The information a library wishes to convey most should not be buried at the bottom of the homepage.

6.Blah, blah, blah...What? Users prefer to scan pages for information, rather than read extensive paragraphs (Titta, 2001), so ensure information is provided in small chunks.

7.2-way communication. With the creation of web 2.0, users are no longer happy with one sided ‘dictation’ from websites. Allow users to communicate with the library via the website and be sure to respond to any comments.

8.A picture is worth a thousand words. Use images and/or icons to break up the monotony of text on the library website. Keep in mind, however of download times on different bandwidths. If something takes too long to download, users will generally close the site and find information elsewhere.

9.Promotion. Users will often visit the virtual presence of a library before the physical building, so the website needs to sell the library to its current/potential users.

10.Accessibility. Ensure the library website is accessible from alternate web browsers and mobile devices.

CSU Library Website vs 10 criteria

http://www.csu.edu.au/division/library/


Easy Navigation – The navigation around the CSU Library site is good overall. There is a navigation bar on the left to take the user where they need to go. Some links open in a new window so you never lose the connection with the library page. Some links however, open different sections of the CSU website, with no affiliation to the library so the user is effectively booted from the library site. CSU does have a permanent link in the header for the library in all of its web pages though, so there is always a way back.

Appropriate for audience. The CSU Library site is predominantly used by CSU students and staff. All content is appropriate for this audience.

Updating/Maintaining. The CSU Library website is updated frequently. At the time of writing this, its last update was on the 4th of January 2011. The library could embed the ‘Your Library’ blog into its homepage as its news feature.

Popular Technologies. The CSU Library is using many 2.0 technologies that its users may be tuning into from, for example, Twitter, several Blogs, Live Chat, Forums and RSS feeds.

Information Location. The CSU Library has limited information on its homepage, a news section changes regularly. However the links taking you to different appropriate sections of the library are prominent so minimal amounts of ‘scrolling’ are necessary.

Minimal text. Information on the CSU Library website is mostly delivered in short sections. When more information is needed it is usually available via different links/expanded sections.

2-way communication. CSU Library has several ways for users to communicate with the library including Twitter, forums, ask a librarian, blog comments and feedback forms. The Library could benefit from a Facebook presence, as there are various CSU sites already on there, but no library presence.

Picture use. CSU Library uses some icons, but very little pictures on its website.

Promotion. As the CSU Library is used by both on campus and off campus students, the library website has all of its ‘instore’ features available online so that it is usable by all users.

Accessibility. CSU Library works equally with both Internet Explorer and FireFox. The website is accessible for smart phone mobile phones, however is not specifically designed to work on them.


References
Titta, C. (2001). Writing well for the web. Retrieved April 6th, 2010, from Web Reference: http://www.webreference.com/content/writing/