Internet Librarian: Monday Review Entry

Some overall thoughts drafted some the presentations on Monday at the Internet Librarian conference.

Web Design
So far as websites go I really need to more user testing. I need data to back up where the users are going and what paths they take to get there. If this isn’t information that I can get through the library IT, I need to work with the larger web team at the University to get this information.

We should also be able to tell how many hits our library website gets. We can state easily how many people enter our physical presence; we should know how many people enter our virtual presence as well.

1. Data to back up where users are going (statistics, # of hits, etc)


2. Why do users come to our website? – The answer to this question will help us determine what needs to be the focus of our website pages


3. Focus groups – really need to do focus groups


4. Card testing to help determine layout using staff, student workers, and other students


5. More A/B testing with small things like terminology or placement – Item #1 needs to be in place before this can work effectively

Other items:

• The Click of Three rule is not necessarily accurate – users will keep clicking if they feel that by clicking they are getting to where they wish to be (this could be really important in influencing current design)


• Consideration of alternate ways of accessing the web page – is this an issue currently? If we aren’t looking at this now, how soon will we need to consider it? We should be a leader on campus for mobile accessibility


• Design is hugely important. While function is incredibly important, how the page looks is v. important. Studies and research show that if a user likes the look of a site, they are more likely to forgive some poor usability features – we cannot afford to settle for ‘mediocrity’ in design or design elements within a page


• Placement – don’t put important information into places often relegated to ads on other pages (right hand side, above headers or below footers – does top navigation need to be redundant if it is placed at the very top of the page?)


• LibrarianInBlack blog will have specific web design tools that might be useful and I should look into using these

There are so many free tools that can be utilized for library purposes – we should be doing this more.