Effective Library Website Design

My own set of criteria of an effective Library Website design:

1. I like the modern look and agree that the a visual of a libraries website does make an impression on users perception of the type of library it is. Two examples are:

Camden Council Library Services:

And Campbelltown Library:

I think both sites are effective and happen to know that both are great local government libraries but the visual difference between the two, leads me to believe that one is easier to use than the other. The Campbelltown Library site fits more into the home page but it is cluttered and for the most part generic and formal, the Camden Library site is more visually attractive because of its use of colour, icons and wigits along with the addition of pictures. Although Campbelltown Library includes web 2.0 by prompting following on twitter, providing RSS feeds and blogs in my opinion, Library 2.0 has become lost on the busy home page.

2. Easy navigation - Users want fast and effective navigation and not have to read through lists of items to find where they want to go, especially if they are unsure of where to look and have to do some searching.

The camden Library includes a serch window in all segmented areas of the site.

The campbelltown library includes a google search function, but searching is carried out over the Campbelltown council web domain, of which the Library is a part of, searching is not focussed on the Library site only and thus includes irrelevent material.

3. Promotional material in prominent places.
The Camden Library home page displays coming events in the centre of the page with pictures and promotional text. The promotional material on the Campbelltown site is again lost in the lists on the homepage, 'follow us on twitter' appears as a listed item but in a different colour which does highlight the feature but could be better shown with the twitter icon.


4. Segmentation - I agree that creating a space for separate and destinct users is wise and appeals to that group more. For example a kids or youth page where specialised librarians can contribute to the content and web 2.0 features geared toward that particular group.


5. Current information that is updated on a regular basis is essential. Regular use of web 2.0 technologies to interact with users is part of this. If the web page or contacts made through web 2.0 technologies are neglected then so will the participation in the site and may effect the usage of the library.

Advice from Meredith Farkas

Five key pieces of advice from Meredith Farkas on Library 2.0:

1. Planning - was one of the first points and one of the 3 p's of Library 2.0 (planning, partnership, privacy). We need to consider not just what we want but how it will be delivered and ensure that it focuses on the needs of the constituency.

2. Focus on the user and go where they are - ie use YouTube, Facebook, MySpace or whatever their using as social networks and integrate into their worlds, also the formation of partnerships with student groups, faculties etc.

3. Keep up - librarians must make time to keep up, it must be part of their job description and be considered important enough to segregate from other duties. This means that we are able to keep up with new technology plus create content to use on the technology and interaction with users who need these technologies and support through them from the library.

4. Let go of the perfectionist ideal - the new information world is fast paced, if we worry about the final product being perfect (especially on the technologies such as blogs, Facebook and twitter) we won't be using it as much and won't get the benefits from regular use.

5. Techno lust - This idea was interesting as I think this happens to everyone, that we just want the next shiny new thing without the planning its delivery to our users or how it will integrate into our systems. Its wise to be sure that it will be a useful tool in facilitating the resources or services of the library.

And - with advice of number 4 - that will have to do.

A - Z of Social Networking for Libraries

Selecting five Library 2.0 ethos that could improve the Library I use:

1. Text - my local library already uses text for overdue notices but without being annoying to the user could use the method to advertise other library 2.0 features, creating awareness of blogs, RSS feeds or changes to the Website. For example library library uses the local paper and its website to promote author visits and although these are mostly successful, they have had to cancel through lack of interest. All advertising is also done by the council advertising department, so control has been taken away from the library. Through texting and RSS feeds or video presentations their coverage could be expanded for promotion of these and other events and also be controlled by the library itself.

2. Video - in the recent past, my local library opened another branch which was considered a state of the art facility, the website has pictures and pictures have been added to flikr (which I actually did during my study visit) but staff are not required to flickr pictures etc and a video tour of the new building on the website and posted to YouTube would be beneficial.

3. Podcasting - this could also improve the success of their author visits by conducting a recording or quick personal interview with the author, it would reach more users and could also satisfy the user needs more as many of the users are commuters and can't be at the author visits because of when they are held.

4. Blogs - would be a useful addition as the aims and direction of the Library and its initiatives and usefulness to the users would be more transparent. They also invite comment and discussion which allows for that interaction and feeling of creation and contribution to the community.

5. Facebook is a popular social networking program that would claw in users by being able to notify them of events, and general library policy, activities and whats available or new. This would be an invaluable tool to gauge user needs and opinion of resources available.

The Library Minute

The ASU 'library minute' presentations are examples of how to capture an audience, through visual and audible entertainment and feed informative and promotional messages about the libraries functions and key features. As these presentations reach their audience, the value of service provided increases through a discovery or reminder of the service plus the added benefit of a memorable imprint in the mind thanks to the mixture of a range of visual and audio learning techniques.

The Library minute is tightly wrapped up with concise points (eg. 'Top 5 Resources for Online Students'), visual examples (such as the laptop theft in 'Security'), effective imagery (such as the visual of the 'Holy Grail' in 'Academic Articles') humorous video clips and music used throughout and also the use of words flashing up on the screen to further imprint their message. The use of a short space of time is also beneficial for attention span and useful to attract busy students.

The clips only present a few points at a time, added together it is possible that they would not have the same impact or maintain interest. The main points presented have on some occasions been covered in more detail in their own Library Minutes, for example there is a 'Academic Articles' and also a 'EBSCO Academic Search Premier' showing the users how to access the academic articles. As they slowly build up the short episodes, users are lead into more detailed information.

The videos are pesented on the ASU website and on Youtube with the ability to subscribe via RSS, supporting the open access style of Web 2.0. They are also clearly user oriented targeting students and their youthful and fun lifestyle whilst supporting their information needs and encouraging their entrance into the academic library environment. The library minute incorporates the 4 C's of social media by the public access and its consultation with its users - ie conversation (or communication) and community.

Other Web 2.0 facilities available through the ASU Library Channel include, RSS feeds to new news realeases or Library Minutes, a Library Blog and twitter all contributing to collaboration, conversation, community and content creation because of the interaction it draws from the users and library staff. The ability to comment or share services and socialise creates network connections useful in providing relevent and useful information to the students whilst also expressing policies and the reasons for them from the librarians point of view.



NB - The four C's of Web 2.0 being collaboration, conversation, community and content creation.

RSS Feeds

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) also known as Rich Site Summary is an automatic alert system of currently added web content for subscribers. Users are able to collect information from several RSS services and aggregate the feeds allowing efficient review of new information in a field of interest.

RSS is a useful tool for professionals, encouraging a proactive role in the monitoring of technical information and enhancing the value of costly subscriptions to electronic content and newly acquired resources. RSS can also be used on a more general basis for event notification and news updates. RSS feeds target the need to easily access cutting edge information in an efficient and timely manner. As Internet technology allows the perpetual publication of content, users are able to select only the most relevant information, saving time and allowing a greater focus on their area of speciality.

The State Library of NSW has a range of RSS services found at http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au./rss/index.html?HomeLink=Quick_links directing the user to new information and publications acquired. The State Library of Queensland found at http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/whats-on/news/feeds has RSS for new acquisitions but has also added RSS feeds that incorporate local content (At our Table - Queensland People) and library blogs. Libraries can use this technology to promote their services and also to draw in connections with users. RSS feeds can be received through readers or aggregators, they can also be accessed through the library website.

The advantages of automated RSS feeds ranges from allowing small understaffed libraries with little time or resources to efficiently manage and increase the value of their collections, to assisting highly technical libraries dealing with massive volumes of new content to meet the demands highly specialised staff. Monitoring usefulness through surveys of user behaviour can combat the problems associated with RSS feeds which are its lack of use, lack of relevancy and expiry of links.

The use of RSS readers has been said in recent times to be in decline, however this appears to be from its use in the current affairs and news markets. If Libraries stay connected with their users and are aware of their needs, they can continue to push new and specific resources, events and important local content through RSS effectively and efficiently reaching users in a more permanent and formal manner than a posting on face book or twitter.


References

Hart, L. (n.d). Library 2.0:RSS Feeds Dynamic uses for Special Libraries. Accessed 8/8/2010 from http://www.sla.org/pdfs/sla2007/hartrssfeeds.pdf

Landau, R. (2010). Solo Librarian and Outreach to Hospital Staff using Web 2.0 Technologies. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 29(1), 75-84

MacManus, R. (2009). RSS Reader Market in Disarray, Continues to Decline. Accessed 9/8/2010 from http://readwriteweb.com/archives/rss_reader_market_in_disarray.php

Miles, A. (2009). RIP RSS: Reviving Innovative Programs through Really Savvy Services. Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 9(4) 425-432.

Youngkin, A. (2010). Librarian controlled RSS: A Novel Approach to Literate Search Follow-up. Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 10(2), 123-131.

Delicious review

Delicious describes itself as a 'collaborative repository' where people can 'discover, remember and share'. The 'live' or online nature of this application ensures its portability whilst also giving it the ability to quickly and easily impart self managed resources to online social communities and other interested information seekers. Incorporating Web 2.0 by sharing through other social network applications such as twitter, face book, email and its own Delicious network, it enables the wide dissemination of commendatory web content, combating the inherent problem of information overload associated with the perpetual growth of web content.

Qualifying it as a folksonomy along with other social media sites such as YouTube and Flikr is the use of tags created by the user to describe, file and retrieve information. The emphasis on self creation as opposed to selecting descriptors from an existing controlled vocabulary, reflects modern expectation of users to participate, interact and engage with resources.

Folksonomy has been criticised by many for among other things, its lack of formality and consistency, however, the nature of Delicious being a personal access and sharing tool for an indefinite amount of content, accuracy and consistency can be incorporated by consensus and personal preference and inaccurate tagging has less of an impact on accessibility. Folksonomy in this form can be influential on the more formal taxonomies as it provides insights into developing language trends.

Although there has been criticism of folksonomies, Delicious continues in popularity due to its ability to make social connections and its effective organisation of web resources for individuals and groups of people with common interests. It is another way in which social networks can be expanded and new connections made whilst access is increased and encouraged.

Libraries and information agencies such as the State Library of NSW and university libraries have incorporated Delicious into their collections to link users with their information requirements. In some cases such as the Ann Arbour Library resources within the library catalogue have used folksonomy to create wider access along with more traditional cataloguing. Although taxonomy still has its place, social bookmarking sites such as Delicious are gaining in popularity with information professionals and users within the information environment.




References:

Miller, P. (2009) Stephanie Lemieux talks about folksonomy and taxonomy in the enterprise. Nodalities Blog: from semantics web to web data. accessed 25/7/2010 from http//blogs.talis.com/nodalities/2009/06/stephanie-lemieux-talks-about-folksonomy-and-taxonomy-in-the-enterprise.php


Steele, T. (2009) The New Cooperative cataloguing. Library Hi Tech. 27 (1), 68-77.