After completing the readings, a standout comment for me was “The website is your library’s most important feature” (Mathews, 2009). So, following on from that, I think the next 10 aspects need to be included for effective library websites.
1. Appearance – should be uncluttered, no advertising and no distractions down the sides. Use photos and icons to soften the look of text and draw the user in to explore the page.
2. Navigation – should be clear, easy to use and not involve too many steps for the user to need to use in order to navigate to the information they are after. Remember the 2 click theory.
3. Promotion – needs to be overt, so that the website isn’t buried deep in the school website. Once users have found you, make their first impression of the appearance count, so that they want to come back again to enjoy a positive experience.
4. Visual cues – use these to break up text, so the information is not just all words and links. Incorporate the use of photos, icons and videos to appeal to a varied audience.
5. Include appropriate content – make sure information is appropriate to the target group. Also, keep content fresh with no dead links and current for the needs of the users.
6. Establish a social network presence – this will help highlight your organization, but it must be credible and not just lip service. “The library’s use of any social networking tool must be purposeful”. (McBurnie,2007)
7. Use analytics – to monitor usage and patterns. This then helps when planning what content to have available for users so that the website stays current and relevant and is inviting for users to return to.
8. Feedback – allows users to gain a sense of ownership and involvement. Contributes to growth of shared knowledge and community.
9. Provide mobile friendly pages – to reach users wherever they are.
10. Search boxes – these can be embedded in headers or navigation bars. Useful because users can access the information they want more efficiently.
The library website at the school at which I work, includes the provision of appropriate content and has tried to make the appearance positive and easy to navigate. However, due to constraints imposed by IT staff, the library website is difficult to locate on the school website and navigation is cumbersome. Some of the terms used as headings need to be revised so that they are relevant to users, rather than being ‘library correct’. Apart from a blog for new fiction, there are no social networking tools being used to engage with users.
The library needs to initiate a more interactive site using twitter or facebook and also to provide a forum so that users can add content and offer feedback. The design itself also needs a revamp as it is very conventional and HTML in appearance, not inviting any two way interaction between the library and staff and students.
REFERENCES
Mathews, B. (2009). Web design matters: Ten essentials for any library site. Library Journal, (15 February). Retrieved from http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6634712.html?industryid=47126
McBurnie, J. (2007). Your online identity: Key to marketing and being found. FUMSI, (October). Retrieved from http://web.fumsi.com/go/article/share/2510
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Memorable quote
Original quote by Anthony Grafton - mentioned on Building Academic Library 2.0 You Tube video.
This statement really resonates with me because the world of social media and what that implies for libraries has changed the landscape of what has been my understanding of libraries. It really does seem as huge as a tectonic plate to assimilate. Because it is so big, it has initially appeared daunting, but the more I read in this subject, the more understanding I acquire. I am now in the position of understanding that this change in communication has occurred and there is no going back. I am also in the position of not wanting things to stay the same and realise that the library I am in really must catch up or we well might perish - like the dinosaurs.
I still have a way to go to really get a workable grip on some tools like RSS, twitter and del.icio.us, but am really enjoying Facebook - both personally and professionally.
The real challenge now is how to chart the tectonic plates of information that are crashing into one another and then learn to navigate the new landscapes that are created.
This statement really resonates with me because the world of social media and what that implies for libraries has changed the landscape of what has been my understanding of libraries. It really does seem as huge as a tectonic plate to assimilate. Because it is so big, it has initially appeared daunting, but the more I read in this subject, the more understanding I acquire. I am now in the position of understanding that this change in communication has occurred and there is no going back. I am also in the position of not wanting things to stay the same and realise that the library I am in really must catch up or we well might perish - like the dinosaurs.
I still have a way to go to really get a workable grip on some tools like RSS, twitter and del.icio.us, but am really enjoying Facebook - both personally and professionally.
OLJ TASK : Building Academic Library 2.0
FIVE KEY PIECES OF ADVICE
1. Know your users - We really need to get to know our users as every school is unique and what works at one school may not be right at another.Find out what mobile devices are the most popular and most used amongst our student body and then work in partnership with the IT department to see if we can get our library information out to students using the technologies that are most appropriate.We also need to work out marketing strategies to reach students, staff and parents as some research is showing that students approach their parents first when faced with an assignment. Apart from utilising social networking technologies, library staff need to have a presence at parent information nights to market what we offer.
2. Go to where the users are - we need to embed what we are offering into the social spaces that they are using. Then, we can provide links to our website or blog so that the information they need is available immediately wherever they are. As above, we would need to collaborate with IT to get this started.
3. Be agile - We need to rethink patterns of behaviour and processes for change. Many suggestions can fall away because the procedures to implement change are so cumbersome and weighed down by committee approval that change can sometimes be too slow and the need has passed before action is taken. Our library needs to respond quickly to needs and we also need to have staff allowed time to do this.
4. Need to establish policies around social networking - Before jumping onto the social networking wagon we need to establish ground rules for interaction between staff and students. At the same time we need to be aware of not letting policy making extend so slowly that nothing appears to be happening at the forefront of the library. Policy would need to cover 'friending' and appropriate comment guidelines.
5. Develop a learning culture and risk-taking culture - this links in with the notion of building community and co-creation of content. As library staff we need to keep developing our own learning by acquiring any new skills needed to provide a quality service. We also need to allow staff and students to post developments and changes to add to the collective knowledge. Again, time, motivation and experience needs to built in to the day so that library information is up to date and relevant.
1. Know your users - We really need to get to know our users as every school is unique and what works at one school may not be right at another.Find out what mobile devices are the most popular and most used amongst our student body and then work in partnership with the IT department to see if we can get our library information out to students using the technologies that are most appropriate.We also need to work out marketing strategies to reach students, staff and parents as some research is showing that students approach their parents first when faced with an assignment. Apart from utilising social networking technologies, library staff need to have a presence at parent information nights to market what we offer.
2. Go to where the users are - we need to embed what we are offering into the social spaces that they are using. Then, we can provide links to our website or blog so that the information they need is available immediately wherever they are. As above, we would need to collaborate with IT to get this started.
3. Be agile - We need to rethink patterns of behaviour and processes for change. Many suggestions can fall away because the procedures to implement change are so cumbersome and weighed down by committee approval that change can sometimes be too slow and the need has passed before action is taken. Our library needs to respond quickly to needs and we also need to have staff allowed time to do this.
4. Need to establish policies around social networking - Before jumping onto the social networking wagon we need to establish ground rules for interaction between staff and students. At the same time we need to be aware of not letting policy making extend so slowly that nothing appears to be happening at the forefront of the library. Policy would need to cover 'friending' and appropriate comment guidelines.
5. Develop a learning culture and risk-taking culture - this links in with the notion of building community and co-creation of content. As library staff we need to keep developing our own learning by acquiring any new skills needed to provide a quality service. We also need to allow staff and students to post developments and changes to add to the collective knowledge. Again, time, motivation and experience needs to built in to the day so that library information is up to date and relevant.
valuable web tools for teachers
This is from a post on Facebook INF506.
Excellent resources to try to develop blog.
http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/web-2-0-tools-to-embed-on-your-blog/
Excellent resources to try to develop blog.
http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/web-2-0-tools-to-embed-on-your-blog/
OLJ TASK : A-Z of social networking for libraries
The library that I am working in at present does have a website and blog, but due to staffing levels, maintenance is not very regular and so the site seems a bit stale. The online information requires users to come to it, with no social networking tools being used to take the information to the people.
Five points from the article A-Z of Social Networking for Libraries will be considered against the backdrop of my current school library as an aid to helping us embrace a Web 2.0 ethos.
1. Active – in order to promote and keep content fresh, more staff time needs to be allocated to this. Perhaps, evaluating what tasks are really necessary and gaining time by reprioritizing current work patterns would help in gaining time for keeping up to date with library news.
2. Content – The library does currently offer research lists to assist students with assignments. The content comes from academic databases within subject areas. However these lists are buried deep within the library website. By redesigning the website and content in a variety of formats, the library could attract more users and accommodate more learning styles, as content at present is heavily weighted to readers.
3. Facebook – The library needs to develop a Facebook presence so that users can quickly be informed about new resources that have been purchased or new content that has been added to support subject areas. This presence would entail updates being maintained by several staff to ensure relevance and currency.
4. Help – The entire team needs to embrace the need and the practicality of engaging with social media to reach the school population. One method to employ could be to use some staff meeting time each week to discuss what is new and allocate specific tasks between staff members for updates.
5. Youth – Seeing as we are a school library, we need to stay current with our client group, the students, otherwise we run the risk of appearing outdated and lacking in relevance to their needs. We need to use the social networking tools of their generation in order to engage with them, so that they can see libraries are relevant to them.
Five points from the article A-Z of Social Networking for Libraries will be considered against the backdrop of my current school library as an aid to helping us embrace a Web 2.0 ethos.
1. Active – in order to promote and keep content fresh, more staff time needs to be allocated to this. Perhaps, evaluating what tasks are really necessary and gaining time by reprioritizing current work patterns would help in gaining time for keeping up to date with library news.
2. Content – The library does currently offer research lists to assist students with assignments. The content comes from academic databases within subject areas. However these lists are buried deep within the library website. By redesigning the website and content in a variety of formats, the library could attract more users and accommodate more learning styles, as content at present is heavily weighted to readers.
3. Facebook – The library needs to develop a Facebook presence so that users can quickly be informed about new resources that have been purchased or new content that has been added to support subject areas. This presence would entail updates being maintained by several staff to ensure relevance and currency.
4. Help – The entire team needs to embrace the need and the practicality of engaging with social media to reach the school population. One method to employ could be to use some staff meeting time each week to discuss what is new and allocate specific tasks between staff members for updates.
5. Youth – Seeing as we are a school library, we need to stay current with our client group, the students, otherwise we run the risk of appearing outdated and lacking in relevance to their needs. We need to use the social networking tools of their generation in order to engage with them, so that they can see libraries are relevant to them.
OLJ TASK : The Library Minute videos
The 4 C's of social media - collaboration, conversation, communication and content creation are all focused on to varying degrees during the Library Minute videos.
In Study Spaces – the introductory video, the mood created is upbeat and chatty. The question is asked “How do you like to study” ? with the answer quickly being that the library has varied learning spaces that should accommodate different learning styles. This clip particularly relates to community and conversation.
The Social - aims to share new resources and new services. The question posed is “We want to know what you want” Options are suggested that users can implement such as in person, Face book, twitter and a suggestion box. This aims to develop conversation, community and co-creation of content and resources. It also allows for a variety of methods to do this, thus seeking to appeal to a variety of users.
Academic articles and Meet your subject librarian – both these provide more practical information, but still include short You tube clips that are humorous to add variety to necessary information. Again the user is invited to contact the library in person, phone or email. The emphasis is clearly on maintaining conversation, collaboration, community and content creation.
Books – how to find them – again provide practical information as do the podcasts and alerts.
The podcasts are listed and are easy to access and alerts also provide easy to access current updates on opening hours through to database alerts.
All of these are aimed at assisting users to optimally navigate and utilise their time with ASU library. Because so many options are available for communication needs and suggestions, the library ensures that the 4 C’s of Web 2.0 library are being developed.
REFERENCE
ASU Library Channel (Arizona State Library) http: //www.youtube.com/user/librarychannel
In Study Spaces – the introductory video, the mood created is upbeat and chatty. The question is asked “How do you like to study” ? with the answer quickly being that the library has varied learning spaces that should accommodate different learning styles. This clip particularly relates to community and conversation.
The Social - aims to share new resources and new services. The question posed is “We want to know what you want” Options are suggested that users can implement such as in person, Face book, twitter and a suggestion box. This aims to develop conversation, community and co-creation of content and resources. It also allows for a variety of methods to do this, thus seeking to appeal to a variety of users.
Academic articles and Meet your subject librarian – both these provide more practical information, but still include short You tube clips that are humorous to add variety to necessary information. Again the user is invited to contact the library in person, phone or email. The emphasis is clearly on maintaining conversation, collaboration, community and content creation.
Books – how to find them – again provide practical information as do the podcasts and alerts.
The podcasts are listed and are easy to access and alerts also provide easy to access current updates on opening hours through to database alerts.
All of these are aimed at assisting users to optimally navigate and utilise their time with ASU library. Because so many options are available for communication needs and suggestions, the library ensures that the 4 C’s of Web 2.0 library are being developed.
REFERENCE
ASU Library Channel (Arizona State Library) http: //www.youtube.com/user/librarychannel
Useful image - Library 2.0 meme
This is a great diagram to help pull allteh facets of what Library 2.0 needs to include :
It can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonaria/113222147/sizes/o/
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