The top portion of the site prominently displays the search bar and it is actually part of the header, so that you can easily search for the materials that you’re looking for no matter what page you’re on. The advanced search option is easy to use and on the sidebar there is an FAQ on Boolean logic in case someone needs a quick reference.

The links and functionality throughout the site are clear and consistent and the site is truly easy to use. The OPL website is a good marketing tool for the library because it promotes the library’s materials and services in a positive way. I don’t think the patrons would be frustrated using the site, the information is clear and helpful; it is also easy to contact the library since their contact info is very prominently displayed.

There are a lot of useful elements to the site that make it more than just an information resource; it’s interactive and utilizes different Web 2.0 features to enhance the user experience. More specifically, the OPL website promotes the library’s product, including materials, services and programs in a great way, utilizing lots of images, ads, lists, a calendar of events and specialized sections of the website.

The website does a good job focusing on its audience as well; while maintaining a consistent look throughout it offers a separate space for teens with information on summer jobs, volunteer opportunities, scholarships and events and programs specifically for teens.

Finally, the website is fairly easy to find; I typed in “Oakville Public Library” into several different search engines and the link was always on top of the search results.

My only complaint was that the website doesn’t have a place for kids; although there is information on kids resources it is clear that it’s meant for adults, so that might be an area that could use some improvement in the future.

Overall, I really like this library website — that’s why I chose to review it. Of course as always, there is plenty of room for improvement, but this library is off to a positive start.

You want links. Badly.

Promoting your library website and making it easier for people to find depends on how many other sites link to you. Incoming links that you get from reputable sites lead to better search engine rankings and better chances of people finding your website.

But how do you get other sites to link to you?

Well, there are actually a lot of things you can do to increase traffic to your site and get people to link to you, but the number one thing is good content. Interesting, useful content is what will draw people to your site, make people talk about it and link to it.

Here’s an easy way to sum it up:

 
Pretty simple, right? Well, there’s actually a lot more to this.

Participating in online discussions with your patrons is also important, as is listing your site in places where people might find it useful or interesting. Promoting your library’s services and allowing patrons to participate through interactive features of your site also can’t be missed.

And let’s not forget about search engine optimization and usability — these play important roles in creating a successful library website

The 10 Essentials for Any Library Site

“The website is your library’s most important feature” is what starts off the discussion of the 10 essentials for library sites. The author argues that your library’s site tells a lot about your organization and can have an impact on your patrons’ perceptions of the library. Your website is much more than a URL, it is an experience for your patrons and a valuable means of communication.

I summed up the 10 essentials into 10 tips:

1. Promotion Tip: keep content fresh, update regularly and pay attention to placement of banners, photos, videos, blog posts, etc.
2. Segmentation Tip: develop separate pages for different patron groups.
3. Visual Tip: grab your user’s attention and help them find what they’re looking for with icons, symbols and ohter visual cues.
4. Photo Tip: photos can help you make a good impression, as well as showcase and promote your library’s features.
5. Search Tip: every page should have a search box and a federated search box will help patrons start using your resources.
6. Mobile-Friendly Tip: offer a few different ways for patrons to utilize your site on their mobile device.
7. Feedback Tip: use this as a way to show patrons that their opinions matter.
8. Redundancy Tip: assume people are going to make mistakes and offer multiple ways to find things.
9. Analytics Tip: Google Analytics is free and can help you identify problems and areas that need improvement.
10. Help Tip: utilize free tools (like Meebo) and place your Ask a librarian link prominently.

The above list includes some important features that can’t be overlooked when building the library website.

I would add that making sure your site is compatible with all the different types of browsers and that your text and colors are being displayed properly on older monitors are also essentials. Don’t assume that all of your patrons have the latest monitor and all use Firefox. Your site might look completely different through Internet Explorer or on an older monitor.

Question

Should a library that does not have the resources to create an effective website settle for a site with limited features, poor content, ineffective design, etc
— or not bother with
a website at all?

In other words, is it better for a library to have a bad website or no website?

Further Reading

    •     Website design resources from Library Success Wiki

    •     Improve traffic with Google Webmaster Tools

    •     How to Attract Links and Increase Web Traffic — the Ultimate Guide from Copyblogger

I think I’m one of them sometimes … please beware of the control freaks and the clueless.

What makes us clueless?

Good project managers and “cluefull” rather than clueless by H. Frank Cervone examines the behavioral mistakes that project leaders make that makes them seem clueless. Number one on the list is being a control freak — not listening, jumping to conclusions, micromanaging every single aspect of the project, etc… you get the point.

The first time I read the section I thought, oh man I can definitely think of some people like that … the second time made me wonder, am I like that too?

As I mentioned before, by nature many people are drawn to project management because they like to be in charge. I like to be in charge and I’m drawn to project management, does that make me a control freak? What I really want to do is ask my team members, but I’m afraid they would lie to me just to be nice (I work with some really, really, really nice people).

What I need to do is start paying attention to what I’m doing, how I’m doing things and how are my team members reacting to my decisions and directions that I give them. I also need to start recognizing team members who are effective and utilizing their talents instead of trying to control everything that’s going on.

This made me wonder, what is it that makes librarians
want to blog?

Is it to share resources and information with other librarians? Or are librarians trying to connect with their patrons? Or is it simply to document and share their experiences with anyone who’s interested?

What I quickly found is that the answer is “yes” to all of the above and so much more. Many librarians are great story tellers, many are amazing teachers, and it’s probably safe to say that all of them love to share their knowledge and experiences with others.

Here are just a few types of library/librarian blogs that I have been able to identify.

The thinker

One distinct type of librarian blog is what I call “the thinker.” This blogger loves to examine different library and technology issues and reports back with his/her thoughts and suggestions for improvement. The purpose of most of the posts is to bring light on important issues, to start a discussion and make the rest of us think, of course.

A good example of this type of blogger is the shifted librarian since many of her posts are reflective observations, thoughts, ideas, etc.

The resource blogger

Another type of blogger is the librarian who is on a mission to share as much information as possible. You will be able to find news, book reviews, links to useful information — basically anything and everything that a librarian should know.

Librarian in Black is in my option the perfect example of a good resource blogger, take a look at some of her posts and you’ll see what I mean.

The snarky librarian

These bloggers share their experiences to connect with other librarians who may be dealing with the same types of issues, but in a fun, snarky way. Being able to tell someone, even if it’s anonymously what you’re going through is a good way to stay sane in many jobs, not just the library.

@ the Library, A Librarian’s Guide to Etiquette, Librarian is the new Postal and the Society for Librarians* who say mofo are just a few of my favorites.

The patron blogger

The one thing that distinguishes the above mentioned bloggers to the “patron blogger” is the audience; they seek attention from other librarians and library professionals whereas this type of librarian focuses on library users. This blogger’s mission is to promote the library, the materials and services, and to offer a new window for patrons to the library.

Gerard Saylor of Lake Mills Library, along with many other librarians out there, blogs to engage his patrons. With the help of his library staff, Gerard writes (as well as videotapes for the library’s Utube channel) book reviews, notifies patrons of new additions to the library’s collection, blogs about CDs, DVDs, audio books and anything else the patron might be interested in.

Usually this type of blogger will try to use multiple sources to reach his audience, like Utube, Delicious, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and other social networking channels. More and more libraries are catching on to this trend; many starting out by engaging their younger readers.

My local library, here in Orland Park, started a Teen Blog that offers news, events, and information for teens. The library also has podcasts, an online discussion group, reading recommendations, a Delicious page and other resources specifically for teens.

So What Motivates Librarians to Blog?

There are countless reasons why librarians love to blog, but most importantly I think it’s the chance to connect with others. Sharing their insight, knowledge, experiences, teaching others, and connecting is what librarians do best!

Good thing we’re getting some experience with blogging, huh?

Further Reading

    •     The Blogging Libraries Wiki — links to hundreds of library blogs

    •     Edublog Awards — best librarian/library blogs

    •     LIS Wiki — more library and librarian blogs