Library Website Evaluations

When I started classes at the University of Arizona, I started looking for libraries where I might end up at that offered programs and services that I would like to be a part of, sort of a dream-job search. Of course most of my initial impressions are based on information they had on their websites and how it was presented there. As I have been looking at web design I started to realize how this could also influence users to value or undervalue a library. For many this is their first impression of the library and they need to make it count. What surprised me most is that although these libraries offer great programs and services, there are some interesting strengths and weaknesses that become more obvious as I look at these sites for format rather than content.

Lansing Public Library, Lansing Illinois
Initial view of this site may seem plain and simple but that is what adds to the value of this site. There are not too many distracting features and the menu offers extended dropdown categories. Each of the pages features the same border, background and header menu, which makes it easier to find when navigating the site. What I like best about this library website is that it has well-developed instructions for first-time users as well as direct links for more experienced users. An example of this is under the Borrower Account menu where a user can renew his/her items. One link gives a good explanation of how to renew items and the other lets the more experienced user go straight to the task and renew his/her items. I especially appreciated the dropdown menu - Search for Books/Articles & More. It breaks down the search for more specific results so a user can find exactly the type of materials s/he might need – books, articles and discussion guides. This site’s homepage features the various blogs available, which let’s the user find information directed to their age group and interest. By breaking menus down into more specific user groups it is easier to navigate. The more I explored this site I started to notice what I feel are some weaknesses. There are no images on this site, other than the image of the library in the header. Also, although it well organized and easy to navigate, there is little interactivity for users on this site. It is the presentation of information only.

St. Joseph County Public Library, South Bend, Indiana
This library offers another clean homepage with their menu in descending alphabetical order. While I think grouping like items into a drop down menu feature could simplify the menu a little, I think that the site offers a basic easy to use format. I clicked on the ‘events’ icon at the bottom of the page, which provide a document type list of everything happening for the month. The user also has the option of viewing this information in a calendar format. This sets events into a timetable for each day’s events and when the user hovers the mouse pointer over an item a small pop-up window offers extended information regarding that event. This is a timesaving feature since the user doesn’t have to click each item and then go back each time they want more information. All the pages feature the same header menu option, which takes them back to the main page or other areas of the site, with the exception of the teen section of the site, though this too has a ‘home’ link back to the main page. There are nearly no images on this site either and few have proper ‘alt’ tag information. The ‘Subject Guides’ link does take the user to a page that is similar in format to Wikipedia. The ‘Kids’ Place’ page does have a series of images on a Flash rotation that feature the children’s areas of the local libraries. This would be a great feature for other parts of the menu too. They could feature book covers or other sections of the library to advertise resources, or pictures of library staff to familiarize users with those they will meet at the library. St. Joseph’s has a great video on YouTube. I was surprised to see that it was featured on their website also.

These first two sites featured the popular white background that I saw on so many of the commercial sites in class. I have been noticing it more and more. It really makes a difference on how the other colors used on a site affects the contrast and …busyness of a site.

Denver Public Library Teen Site -Evolver, Denver Colorado
I chose this third site because I thought that it was a fun teen site and presents a colorful and organized format for teen users. Most of the pages on this web site use the same format changing only the color of the background and contrasting pattern. On the left hand menu when the user scrolls over the link an information bubble extends out and gives more details about the link. This menu is constant on most of the pages, as is the general information links at the top of the page. When one of the links on the main menu is chosen a submenu comes up on the right hand side. When the user scrolls over those several change to short comments or information. It makes a much more interesting menu for teens. The links to reviews of different media each offer scrolling images of movie posters, book covers, and album covers respectively, along with links to other sites and information on what is available at the library. I also noticed that once a user selects from the menu (and subsequent submenu) the page become a simple gray background, more like the other sites previously reviewed. This site offers much more interest and interactivity for the user without being overwhelmingly busy.

I think one of the things that I am realizing is the difference I need to make in seeing a website as a user versus seeing a site as a librarian. The first two sites while easy to navigate, do not offer much interactivity, but I went to them because I know that the content they offer is valuable. A user may never make that connection if they aren’t engaged by what they see on the site. The third site I chose is very audience-oriented. The colors are interesting and engaging but when the user gets to the content the format is presented simply with minimal but well used images to maintain the fun of the site. If I were to work for one of these libraries I think that I am learning how to better present the website for a more engaging experience for users, though they have already organized the information well.