Building the Digital Branch: Designing Effective Library Websites

Building theDigital Branch

David Lee KingTopeka & Shawnee County Public Library

davidleeking.com

designing effective library websites

Defining the Digital Branch

no interaction

traditional website

no meetings

no staff

no collectionabout the library

it’s about the library...

it's not THE library

digital branch...

collectioncommunity

staff

building

building

a digital branch has...

staff

a digital branch has...

real staff

http://flickr.com/photos/freedryk/2170438778/http://flickr.com/photos/osuvalleylibrary/523383761/

http://flickr.com/photos/olympiclibrarian/303827560/in/set-72157600282345979/

collection

a digital branch has...

real collection

http://flickr.com/photos/lollyknit/2154242047/http://flickr.com/photos/chrisbrogan/2704762582/

community

a digital branch has...

real community

a digital branchis the actual library,

just online

A Guide to Usability

What is usability?

Creating your test: Questions • figure out what to test• create a question that tests that• write specific questions

Test Description

• “The goal of this study is to evaluate how people find information using our website. I will ask 15 questions and would like you to think out loud while looking for the answer. I will time you, and will stop you after 3 minutes have passed. Don’t worry if you can’t find the answer every time–we are testing our Web site, not you! Each answer can be found using the library’s Web site. The test should take no more than 20 minutes. Do you have any questions?”

Volunteers

Administer the test

• Think of this step as the consumer “taste test”

• Administering the test is the easiest part of a usability study.

• read the explanation, whip out your stopwatch, and say “go.”

Analyzing the test

Here are some common types of problems you’ll find:• Wording Problems• Design Problems• Complete your usability test, redesign,

and then … do it all again.

Live Card Sorting

flickr.com/photos/dunk/152121217/

handout #1

Q&A Time!

Gathering Info& Planning

handout #2

mindjethow I summarize findings

Q&A Time!

Building it!

handout #3

sitemap pic here - what to do with itSitemap

Creative Brief

- Purpose- Goals- Primary Audience- Why viewers use section- Tasks section accomplishes- Content requirements- Functionality requirements

mockup pic & explanation

touching base with everyone

flickr.com/photos/armgov/4618925191/

release date

flickr.com/photos/heartrush/376989166/

Q&A Time!

What’s Next?

the day after Opening Day

web analytics

rinse, repeat

flickr.com/photos/eszter/340295962/

Q&A Time!

Creating Community

Online

flickr.com/photos/thecrazyfilmgirl/3248283617/

flickr.com/photos/ky_olsen/3133347219/

listen for ...

flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/1359721335/

flickr.com/photos/lanuiop/401252404/

how to listen

friending

flickr.com/photos/jliba/3496259672/

flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/3424301792/

start conversations

flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/3424967893/

multimedia

stuff to remember

flickr.com/photos/nanpalmero/4432186135/

checking in

treat the mayor!

respond

flickr.com/photos/orqwith/4325166853/

new service?start here...

Planning for Expansion

Q&A Time!