Sarah Houghton-Jan, Soon-to-be Senior Librarian for Digital Futures, LibrarianInBlack.net
Web design in libraries
Staffing for web development will vary by size, type, funding, leadership's dedication, and perception of commuinty "techie-ness"
Advocate, what you need: Users expect to be online when and where they are; online and brick and mortar services to be identical' your site quality to be on par with others they use
The library website is an e-branch: This can be open 24/7 for all users. It is the library's most important public face. And it will be the cheapest branch to run, hundreds of free add-ons to take advantage of!
The library's website, and by extension its entire web presence,
20 Tips for On the Dime
#1 Talk with your users - engage your users by being available online including instant messaging, MeeboMe - put it in the catalog! Be available by text messaging. Use Skype through kiosks in the library or another item.
#2 Provide classes and events - provide online users with the same things people inside your branch will get. Use podcasting to do classes or events.
E.G., www.fordlibrary.org/yareviews; www.cheshirelib.org/teens/cplpodcast.htm; www.lbasg.group.shef.ac.uk/downloads/mainlibrary.html;
Videocasting - Use Avidemux (editing software that is free); E.G., feeds.feedburner.com/primesboxlive; www.dok.info; gpclibraryradio.blogspot.com
Go to YouTube and search for librar*
#3 Over dynamic Lists
Use blogs or other easy to update tools (wikis) to recommend movies, music, and books, encouraging full staff participation - MLS or not! Use an entry template if you'd like AND welcome user comments!
Ann Arbor District Library; Madison Public Library - MADreads;
#4 Offer tools and mash-ups
People are doing things with your library content: be aware and advertise/educate users. Educate Users about what privacy they are giving up and allowing others to look for.
Library ELF: Library account tracking and alerts via e-mail & RSS
Library LookUp: click on this bookmarklet when on a webpage with an ISBN to look up a book
LibX Toolbar: Buttons to lead to databases, catalog, and search easily!
#5 - Pretty up your catalog
Biggest point of online contact with users - put staff time, money, and thought into improving what you have. Emphasize usability and interactivity. Overlays are also available through AquaBrowser, Endeca, LibraryThing for Libraries, WorldCat Local, etc
Hennepin County Library - Catalog example
#6 - Increase database visibility
Focus on the WHAT - Newspapers, Journals, Magazines, etc
Separate periodicals from others
Links on the home page
Do not use the word 'database'
FREE, FREE, FREE - people don't always understand that this is free to them.
Subject guides, pathfinders & Outreach visits - Present both databases and web pages in one place!
Market, market, market - but don't bookmark it!
#7 - Increase eBook visibility
Buy multiple eBook collections; Focus on text and audio that is downloadable; TONS of free eBooks, Get everything into your catalog and market to specific audiences! (eBooks are cheaper than print books (plus no processing, shelving, check-outs) and cheaper on a cost per circ basis): There is a project going on with Project Gutenberg to catalog their collection so it can be put into the catalog.
Free eBook collections are available - there are a lot
#8 - Exploit the blog as a format
Don't call it a blog and allow comments!
www.libraryforlife.org/gameblog/; westernspringshistory.org;
#9 - Make RSS your BFF
RSS is more than just blogs
- Hennepin CL: item and news feeds
- Edmonton PL: new teen books
- Contra Costa CL: item and news feeds
- Thompson Rivers UL: library updates
- Seattle PL: favourite authors and updates
A great way to get information out about news and events!
RSS Calendar - Creates a calendar of events and subscribers will automatically get updates of what new events are. Feed Submitter will submit your RSS feed to multiple sites for free
#10 - Try a wiki, any wiki
Bull Run Library Wiki - can be created collaborated; St Joseph County Library
#11 - Give a face to your library
FLICKR and other photos sharing sites: Show photos of your library's interior and exterior, staff doing things, people! users, events, etc!
Use Flickr to promote new library projects
Flickr photos can have so many things done with them!
#12 - Use project management tools
iTeamwork/Gantt Project/Gliffy
#13 - Use a bajillion Firefox add-ons
Web Developer's Toolbar
Link Checker (many options)
Linkify (searches for URLs based on link text)
Widefox
Pearl Crescent Page Saver Basic
#14 - Don't pay for images
- ClassroomClipArt.com
- Image*After
- OpenClipArt.org
- OpenPhoto.net
#15 - Pay attention to accessibility
#16 - Use design tools to save time
CSS menu generator
Flash bar generator
Freelayouts
Freecss templates.org
inknoise
#17 - Use other available tools
Gimp, Webmonkey, Library Site2, Color Blender, Yousendit, dzone, programmable web, gimp
#18 - if hosting is insufficient/unavailable
tinypic, googlebase, onestatfree.com
#19 - Exploit image generators
http://generatorblog.blogspot.com
#20 - Keep everything current!
LibrarianInBlack.net
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