Categories Resources & Websites for Librarians

Aaron has been busy! Take a look at the new Thomas Ford Memorial Library page as well as walking paper. Well done! And, with much synchronicity, Jessamyn has been installing Movable Type 3.2 here at TTW and coding this new space with me standing by in awe. Please pardon our dust as we continue. This will be the third incarnation of TTW. Dare I call it 3.0? Here’s a look back:

5 Factors for Library Web Site Redesign This week, as part of Chicago Public Library’s Scholars in Residence Program, Stephen, Jenny and I spent time discussing strategies and planning for a public library Web site redeign. I pointed the group we were with to this press release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/9/prweb285788.htm that I linked to a few weeks ago concerning what factors large public libraries face in a redesign. I also presented this brief list: #1 Your web Site is a Cyber-Branch: Your Web site should be viewed as your location in cyberspace, the ___nth branch if you will. It should be staffed […]

Curtin University of Technology in Sydney, Australia has mounted this page of resources for devices: http://library.curtin.edu.au/pda_services/index.html Nice collection..most inspiring for planning for PDA/device access.

The group assembled for the first presentation of the Public Libraries and Technology Track at Internet Librarian 2005 totally rock. If you are attending the conference, don’t miss this one because hot trends in web design apply to all types of libraries! In addition, the topic of web redesign is HOT right now. This press release points out some fascinating statistics. In planning for the presentation, I emailed the panelists a question. Because Michael Casey’s Library Crunch (add him to your aggregator now, I’ll wait) is one of my favorite reads these days, I asked the panelists this question: What […]

I shared this link with my class at Dominican: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/designmistakes.html Via Jakob Nielsen, there are many gems here. Pay attention to the “Writing for the Web” bit.

David King shared this with me via IM: this is the current front page for Kansas City Public Library. I applaud the folks behind this change! What this means to me is that KCPL is very aware of presenting timely, important information to their community. Not only are they linking to places to donate, but they are promoting library services as well with the “The Library Can Help” link. Just the text of the image implies the library is a clearinghouse for information, referral and support. KCPL, my hat is off to you!

(Bold is mine for emphasis!) Library Circulation Surpasses 3 Million Last year we announced that items circulated during the 2003-04 year passed the 2 million mark. This year, we circulated just over 3 million items. This new circulation record represents a 33% increase and the highest annual percentage of increase in the Library’s history. We are also experiencing growth in other key areas. Our buildings were visited 1.3 million times, an 8% increase. Attendance at programs increased 14%, over 51,000, and more individuals used library computers than ever before…223,000 logins represent a 37% increase over last year. The need to […]

In my book, David King is at the top of the heap for all things related to the creation of user-centered, usable, friendly and, yes, HOT library web sites..here’s his review of AADL: http://daweed.blogspot.com/2005/07/review-of-ann-arbor-district-librarys.html He’s fair..and he points out some strengths and weaknesses… AND awards cups of coffee! Thanks David…

http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/050616-191102 Most interesting bit to me: “Hopefully, more people will become hip to the fact that many library services, not only databases, are accessible without having to go to the library building.” Gary Price I like this statement for a couple of reasons: We really need to shift our thinking from our physical libraries. Now before you get irked at me: I’m not saying forget the building, I’m saying balance services between a strong Web presence and a physical space that draws folks in, from Boomers to Gamers and back again. Second it’s indicative that services are changing and those […]