Information-hungry consumers have become accustomed to flashy commercial web sites, the lightning speed of major search engines, and the seemingly endless array of "content" at sites like BN.com or Amazon.com. Libraries committed to delivering online content and services in this frenzied environment need the authoritative guidance and practical know-how available in Library Web Sites. This patton-centered step-by-step guide is the foundation for creating either basic or advanced online library services and integrating all aspects of library activities in the virtual world. Beginning with a checklist of elements essential to a library web site, it further explains how to: Manage content using database-backed Web pages; Brand the library's marketing and promote services online; link external content - licensed databases, library catalog and e-books - onto the site; Conduct readers' advisory services online; Keep the site fresh and updated using the editorial calendar tool; Archive online resources; Public and academic librarians, technology specialists, and all those front line staff responsible for creating, designing, and updating the library's web site will find an all-encompassing user-friendly guide designed to help them make the library's vast resources accessible online. Visit the companion web site for this book at Library Web SitesElectronic Collections and Services website. You can access an online version of the editorial calendar, examples of spreadsheets used to collect statistics, updated virtual library information, and more.
Author(s): A. Paula Wilson
Edition: 1
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 146
0838908721......Page 1
Contents......Page 6
Figures......Page 10
Acknowledgments......Page 12
Preface......Page 14
Why Planning Is So Important......Page 16
Site Development Process......Page 17
Staffing Model......Page 18
Library Planning Documents......Page 21
Content Inventory......Page 25
Style Guides and Standards......Page 26
Housekeeping and “Other Duties as Required”......Page 31
TWO: Information Architecture......Page 36
Site Navigation......Page 37
Usability......Page 44
Branding and the Library Image......Page 51
About the Library......Page 52
Creating Sticky Content......Page 56
FOUR: Digital Reference Collections and Services......Page 61
Digital Collections......Page 62
E-mail and Chat Reference Service......Page 63
Frequently Asked Reference Questions (FARQs)......Page 67
Knowledge Bases......Page 68
Web-Based Instruction......Page 70
Obituary Indexes......Page 75
Referral Services......Page 76
FIVE: Library Catalogs and Portals......Page 78
A Look at the Competition......Page 80
Customizing the Catalog......Page 81
Content Enrichment......Page 84
External Web Sites: Implications for the Library Web Site and Catalog......Page 85
A Case Study......Page 88
SIX: Licensed Databases and Electronic Books......Page 90
Research Databases and Electronic Journals......Page 91
Electronic Books......Page 101
SEVEN: Reader Services......Page 104
Leisure Reading in Academic Libraries......Page 106
Visibility of RA......Page 107
Reading Lists......Page 108
Subscription Databases......Page 110
Authors Online: E-mail and Real-Time Chats......Page 111
Responding to Readers......Page 112
Book Discussion Groups......Page 113
RA Web Sites Tomorrow......Page 115
EIGHT: Content for Specific Audiences......Page 116
Diversifying Your Web Site......Page 118
Young People......Page 120
Seniors......Page 124
Language-Related Groups......Page 125
Accessibility: Services to People with Disabilities......Page 128
NINE: Library Web Sites: Where Do We Go from Here?......Page 134
Technology......Page 135
Third-Party Vendors......Page 136
The Companion Web Pages......Page 137
Appendix A: Editorial Calendar......Page 138
Appendix B: Library Web Manager’s Resource Directory......Page 142
Bibliography......Page 148
C......Page 156
E......Page 157
L......Page 158
P......Page 159
S......Page 160
Z......Page 161
