I could go on for a while about how the “rules” of web design have changed in twenty years, but one “rule” that has somehow persisted, despite real data now being available, is that of “Users won’t go more than three clicks past your homepage to get to anything.”
Tag: usability
What if your library’s website solved problems?
Go look at your library’s website. Now, go look at the website of the library nearest yours. Now go look at some big city’s website. Heck, go look at most websites I’ve done. And, while you’re looking, pretend that you’re a patron with any of the following questions/needs: “I’m a sixth-grader and I have a… Continue reading What if your library’s website solved problems?
What’s still missing from Ohio public library websites?
Recently, at my place of work, we decided to do a broad survey of Ohio’s public library websites for some basic functionality and features. We wanted to get an idea of just how many websites still had major problems (or not). We looked at 169 different systems*. The results were a bit discouraging. Here is… Continue reading What’s still missing from Ohio public library websites?
Make your website’s search less painful for your users
If your library’s website doesn’t have a search field at all, this post isn’t for you. Your site has way bigger issues to contend with. (But, feel free to use this post to guide the creation of a search function. Go get one…NOW.) However, if your website does have a search, chances are that you still… Continue reading Make your website’s search less painful for your users
3 things you can learn from other websites
Let’s start with defining “other” here: I mean sites that aren’t library websites. If you do nothing else, I want you to get out of the habit at looking at other library sites for inspiration. No, really, I mean it. Why? As a profession, libraries are too insular. Quit looking at your peers; often, they’re… Continue reading 3 things you can learn from other websites
Stop putting out the “welcome mat”
The temptation is overwhelming. After all, libraries are friendly places, right? We wouldn’t want our patrons to think they weren’t welcome. It’s so nice and friendly to put a big “Welcome to our library website!” heading at the top of the front page, right? Sorry…no. Remember, every square inch of your library’s website is extremely… Continue reading Stop putting out the “welcome mat”
Polar bears, Che Guevara and porn
(Eric Jordan did an update to his first “Webmaster” vignette, and I’m posting it here for collective enjoyment. Thanks, Eric!) Web Master 1.1 (I had enough fun with the first one, I decided to upgrade!) The Programmer approached the Web Master in his cubicle once again. “Web Master, please help me. I am trying to… Continue reading Polar bears, Che Guevara and porn
Why web standards matter and why your library (really) has to care
It’s pretty easy to explain to people why their web sites need certain kinds of standards; take, for example, Section 508, which is essentially the ADA for web sites. Section 508 says that any organization receiving federal funds (hmm…bailout companies, take note) must have an accessible web site. “Accessible” is further defined by specific criteria,… Continue reading Why web standards matter and why your library (really) has to care
The sins of library web sites
Ah, Twitter is a wonderful thing. I asked members of the Twitterverse to catalog the problems of library web sites, and my followers (as friends on Twitter are called) did not disappoint. I got responses not only from both library and non-library folks, but even a bit of international participation with a comment or two… Continue reading The sins of library web sites
[GUEST POST] Is your library search bar friendly?
Don Yarman is the Deputy Director of Delaware County Public Library. Probably by now, you’re using a web browser that has a search box in the upper right-hand corner. Do you use it? You should; it’s handy and it’s awesome. I used to hate it. I already had the Google toolbar and Google is my… Continue reading [GUEST POST] Is your library search bar friendly?