Library Website Design

Here's my checklist for a decent library website, making good use of Library 2.0 technologies. Although required to do this in 400 words, I found it just wasn't enough - apologies for shortened language! 

Library Website 2.0 Checklist:

1.      Audience appropriate:formal/serious, fun/humorous, light and informative, traditional or progressive?

2.      Design - bright, interesting and inviting? Text broken up with visual cues, relevant images/links? Do children’s pages use bright bold colours/design?

3.      Social Media – combinations of SM used to reach audience and break away from one-way communication?

4.      Pages regularly updated to keep interest up and information current/relevant?

5.      Is the site easily accessible on a variety of devices?

6.      Good use of Widgets to highlight areas or provide functions – eg new books, calendar?

7.      Opportunities for two-way interaction that allows users to be actively engaged? Visible to all so that library is seen as open/transparent, and interested in serving user needs?

8.     Catalogue user-friendly, easily accessible and visible on every page? Allow federated searching?

9.      Help-Desk –multiple, easy ways to get help – eg face to face, phone, email, online “ask a librarian” chat.

My local Library - Mt Barker Community Library:

Mt Barker Community Library Home Page

Suggestions are highlighted in blue below 

1. The target audience is wide – the feel of the site is fairly neutral, which I guess caters for all types. I’d like to see it a bit more contemporary and “funky”.
2. The design has a conservative blue/green colour scheme. Text is nicely broken up by visuals. Clear menu choices. Kids pages are bright & bold. There is no obvious “Home” link which is annoying. Some new books do not have cover images which would add to the site. Toys do not have images or reviews, which would be very beneficial.
3. Good use of social media is made: 

• Link to the Facebook page - front page has a stream of photos etc that come directly from FB
• Suggest an item
• Renew overdues, place holds
• View reviews/ratings (books)
• Add reviews, ratings, tags, comments (if you subscribe). This allows access to communities, groups, clubs, chat rooms etc – now that’s pretty cool!
• RSS subscribe to receive new item feeds.  

The Library does have a Twitter account, but it is not mentioned anywhere on the website. It is used simply to repeat what has been posted on the FB page. Perhaps this could be an avenue for tweeting interesting library-related information.

4.      The site is regularly updated – although new titles that appear on the front page are always adult non fiction – would be good to vary this.

5.      The site links to a Mobile access app – but the reviews of this app are far from positive.

6.      Good use of widgets - new titles, news and events – booking service, local history service.

7.       “Connections” allows users to connect to others worldwide, but there are no real opportunities for discussion on the site itself. Comments are able to be made through the FB page – I would suggest that they put this feed on the website too and invite comments that way.

8.     The Catalogue is easily accessible and has federated searches to narrow down and find items quickly and easily.

9.      Only email & phone are options on the site and obviously face-to-face if you go in. It would be good to add an instant “Ask a Librarian” widget as current email response time was about 1.5 hours. (which is not bad).

References:
Lazaris, L. 2009. Designing websites for kids: Trends and best practices. Smashing Magazine. Retrieved 8/1/14 from http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/11/27/designing-websites-for-kids-trends-and-best-practices/.

Mathews, B. 2009. Web design matters: ten essentials for any library site. Library Journal, Feb 15, 2009, Vol 134 (3), p 24.

McBurnie, J. 2007. Your online identity: Key to marketing and being found. (Blog). Freepint. Retrieved 10/1/4 from http://web.freepint.com/go/features/2510. 

Governor, J, Hinchcliffe, D, & Nickull, D. (2009). Web 2.0 architectures (1st ed.). Sebastopol, Calif.: O’Reilly Media. [ebook] Accessed via Safari Books Online at http://proquestcombo.safaribooksonline.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/9780596514433.