1. Simple and elegant: clean layout, use space, colours & tones well contrasted,
fonts pleasing to the eyes
fonts pleasing to the eyes
2. Provide support for multiple browsers & platforms (on mobiles & tablets)
3. Prominent institution logo, with link to
institution home page and attractive
photos of distinct areas of the library
photos of distinct areas of the library
4. Easy navigation: search box and navigation bar in the header and footer of
every page; header stays put even when users scroll down the page
every page; header stays put even when users scroll down the page
5. Keep content concise and meaningful; avoid page scroll, putting significant
content above the scrollable area
content above the scrollable area
6. Graphics preferred over text wherever possible; use icons with floating text
that appears when moused over
that appears when moused over
7. Offer alternative contact information: telephones, emails, & address with map
8. Allow users subscribe to automatic updates on library news and its services,
e.g. via RSS
e.g. via RSS
9. Embed a variety of social media for communication: for patron to ask for help
and give their feedback, for discussion and sharing of information, as well as
for library promotion: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Issuu, ..., etc., so that
the library website and news update can be easily bookmarked and shared
and give their feedback, for discussion and sharing of information, as well as
for library promotion: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Issuu, ..., etc., so that
the library website and news update can be easily bookmarked and shared
10. Minimize page load time
11. Collect analytics on how the website is being used for continual improvement
11. Collect analytics on how the website is being used for continual improvement
Evaluation of the library website:
http://www.cgst.edu/en/int8.html
The library website has a clean layout with adequate spacing, well-contrasted colours and tones that match with the prominent institution logo, easy-to-read fonts, links to institution home page and nice photos of various areas of the library. Although links are offered in the navigation bar at the top and bottom of the webpage for easy navigation, it is probably not a good idea to put everything on one page only. This may be due to the fact that library news and detailed information on services have been allocated to another website, the Library Information Network, on the institution intranet for some reason. Hence, the library website is relatively simple, the page load time is minimized and it looks fine on different browsers and devices. However, it contains a lot of text which focuses on information the library finds important but not necessarily for the users.
In fact, the website is rather dated and the library is going to revamp it in the near future. It also reflects a library service perspective prior to the advent of Library 2.0. Currently the only web 2.0 technologies incorporated are the provision of RSS links in the library journal SQL database in the intranet library information network site and the RSS & del.icio.us link to bookmark search results in the library Aleph Primo search (tagging disabled temporarily, pending for further decision).
Suggestions for improvement:
It requires a change in the philosophy of service. The library has to be present where their users are and its services have to be user-centered.
The library has to set up accounts and content in social media like Facebook, Twitter, to let users find out about its services and news, to ask questions and give feedback, and for the library to discover more on user needs, and embed them on the website for interaction with users aside from the contact telephone and email. Live chat via IM services like Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger can be added if staff time can be allocated. RSS feeds for library news and events should be incorporated. Moreover, the library can use Flickr to create a virtual library tour or exhibitions as well as display highlights of library events, with chat boxes for user comments. Besides, videos promoting the library and library instruction sessions can be put on the library website and shared on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to reach a wider audience. Furthermore, the Google map of the institution can be added in addition to or in place of the still image of the institution map. Finally, mechanism for collecting analytics on the website should be in place for improvement rather than allowing it to remain stagnant.
Mathews, B. (2009). Web design matters: Ten essentials for any library site. Library Journal, 134(3), 24.
McBurnie, J. (2007). Your online identity: Key to marketing and being found. FUMSI, (October). Retrieved from http://web.fumsi.com/go/article/share/2510
http://www.cgst.edu/en/int8.html
The library website has a clean layout with adequate spacing, well-contrasted colours and tones that match with the prominent institution logo, easy-to-read fonts, links to institution home page and nice photos of various areas of the library. Although links are offered in the navigation bar at the top and bottom of the webpage for easy navigation, it is probably not a good idea to put everything on one page only. This may be due to the fact that library news and detailed information on services have been allocated to another website, the Library Information Network, on the institution intranet for some reason. Hence, the library website is relatively simple, the page load time is minimized and it looks fine on different browsers and devices. However, it contains a lot of text which focuses on information the library finds important but not necessarily for the users.
In fact, the website is rather dated and the library is going to revamp it in the near future. It also reflects a library service perspective prior to the advent of Library 2.0. Currently the only web 2.0 technologies incorporated are the provision of RSS links in the library journal SQL database in the intranet library information network site and the RSS & del.icio.us link to bookmark search results in the library Aleph Primo search (tagging disabled temporarily, pending for further decision).
Suggestions for improvement:
It requires a change in the philosophy of service. The library has to be present where their users are and its services have to be user-centered.
The library has to set up accounts and content in social media like Facebook, Twitter, to let users find out about its services and news, to ask questions and give feedback, and for the library to discover more on user needs, and embed them on the website for interaction with users aside from the contact telephone and email. Live chat via IM services like Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger can be added if staff time can be allocated. RSS feeds for library news and events should be incorporated. Moreover, the library can use Flickr to create a virtual library tour or exhibitions as well as display highlights of library events, with chat boxes for user comments. Besides, videos promoting the library and library instruction sessions can be put on the library website and shared on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to reach a wider audience. Furthermore, the Google map of the institution can be added in addition to or in place of the still image of the institution map. Finally, mechanism for collecting analytics on the website should be in place for improvement rather than allowing it to remain stagnant.
References:
Governor, J., Hinchcliffe, D, & Nickull, D. (2009). Web 2.0 architectures. Sebastopol, Calif.: O’Reilly Media.
Lazaris, L. (2009). Designing websites for kids: Trends and best practices, Smashing Magazine, (27 November). Retrieved 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, 134(3), 24.
McBurnie, J. (2007). Your online identity: Key to marketing and being found. FUMSI, (October). Retrieved from http://web.fumsi.com/go/article/share/2510
Schiff, J. L. (June 04, 2013). 13 simple tips for improving your web design: How your website is laid out, what colors, fonts and images you use (or don't use) can mean the difference between success (low bounce and exit rates, high conversion) and failure (high abandonment, low sales). Retrieved February 10, 2014, from http://www.cio.com/article/734408/13_Simple_Tips_for_Improving_Your_Web_Design?page=3&taxonomyId=600028
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