WebJunction

I am also working on redesigning our website. We serve 25, 500 and our current site is www.bcplnet.org. So we might not be a good example, but I would be interested in sites similar to ours or any good ideas!

Wow, I was trying to think of another project to do. Our website hasn't been redone in about 2 years. I believe it needs a rehauling. Maybe that will be my second project. I have no idea how to start. My tech will help me make the changes (I hope). Thanks for the good idea!!

Amy

Nancy et al,

My intial reaction is that I'm not sure if service size should be an issue while redesigning a library's website. So, I don't think you should worry too much about that. Instead, I think we need to focus on content, accessibilty, design, and the mission of the library and it's online presence.

My first suggestion would be to check out other public library web sites (check out http://www.publiclibraries.com/ for lists and links to public libraries around the country) and find bits and pieces that you like and don't like. You might also consider doing some testing of the current website with your patrons and staff. For navigation and jargon, having a set of questions, sitting down with one person, and having someone observe their actions and movements while allowing the tester to state out loud what they like and don't like and how they are navigating through your site is a wonderful way of testing how things are working for your patrons. This is also helpful once redesigned to see how everything is "working".

Also, Jakob Nielson has done a lot of work of web design and usability testing. You might want to take a look at his work - http://www.useit.com. Another good site is Building Better Websites - http://www.lib.utexas.edu/dlp/imls/index.html. And one on library jargon - Library Terms that Users Understand - http://www.jkup.net/terms.html.

The other thought I had is echoed below in taking a few of the WJ online courses - WJ's Designing a Library Website and any software pieces that will appply to what you're doing.

I highly recommend just going through lots of others' sites and noting what you like and don't; outlining what you need and don't need, like and don't like; interviewing/testing patrons; and going from there.

~ Cassandra

http://www.grandview.wa.us/library.htm

We are an independent library serving a small rural community (population 8,705). We like our independence but it does pose problems from time to time. Everything from ordering to cataloging and website design is done in house by a staff of three full-time and two part-time employees.

Hi Nancy,

Have you considered rethinking your web site as a blog? Much easier to maintain and update. I work in a regional consortium of libraries, and a number of our libraries have done this in some form - they've either incorporated a blog into their web site or have chosen to use a blog as their web site.

Here's a link to the pages: http://www.selco.info/about/members/blogs.html

Good luck!

Mary Beth

I had a few changes to my web page. I added some new local links and did a few other changes. My patrons haven't said much, but hopefully someone will see a difference.

Amy