Important Features of Library Websites

Important features of any library websites are:

User friendly interface
The websites interface should be user friendly. It should be easier for users to navigate into different tabs and find desired information. If the website is very complex and user can't find information easily it is unlikely that user will revisit the website or may even get bad impression about library itself.

Secure and reliable
The website should be secure for its patrons to use. If the information provided by patrons for accessing library resources is not secure then the website is not reliable and people don't want to use it.

Informative
Library website should be able to provide all necessary information about library to its patrons. People should get information about what books are available in library, how to become a member, how to borrow/renew books, fines and everything they need to know about using the library.

Blog
Library websites should have different section that informs about the events happening in library and other library related news.  That can be done by creating a different blog.

Multiple Language support

It is good to have a website that supports multiple language so that people with non-english background can easily understand its contents.

Why organisations use blogging software?

Many organisation prefer using blogging software because:

They are free
Usually they are for free unless we need very big and professional websites for big businesses.

User-friendly
Websites created using blogger and wordpress are simple and easy to use for the users.

Easily customizable
Easy to change template, color, font and look of the website

Esay to maitain
As the templates in these websites are developed by experts for normal users, they are easy to maintain.

Reliable
As blogger and wordpress are used widely all over the world for personal and business use, they are reliable.

Pros and Cons of free softwares

Pros:
No licensing cost as it's free.
Easy to use
It's easy to manage as we can install free and open source software anywhere.
As anyone can edit the code, it is continuously developing, no need to wait for next release to come if software has some bug.

Cons:
Though it is free, we need to pay for better version
They may come with unnecessary advertisements that is not included in licensed software
Users are in risk of downloading virus while trying to use free software as both are free.
Free software do not come with guarantee, so they can be gone any time
No post download support for free software
Fewer advanced features

Make Library Websites Great! - share and embed function

Adding youtube video using share function.



Adding youtube video using share- embed  function.

Ninth class- 11th September

Hi guys,

We need to learn to insert youtube video in our blog today. This is my first try.

How to Design a website

Software products libraries use

Popular software products that libraries use for website creation and maintenance with the examples:


 Drupal
http://www.menashalibrary.org/
http://www.griver.org/
http://vikingvillage.wwu.edu/
http://www.lib.muohio.edu/

Joomla
http://hellertownlibrary.org/
http://smithlib.org/
http://millvillepubliclibrary.org/
http://www.willingboro.org/

wordpress
http://www.patagoniapubliclibrary.org/
http://parkcountylibrary.org/
http://www.thetroylibrary.org/
http://www.misslib.org/

Library websites I like

National Library of Australia
 Website of National Library of Australia looks very simple but informative. It provides information about different libraries in Australia. We can even find information about books and other materials in different Libraries in Australia. Collection section of this website has link to different collections such as magazines, maps, websites, manuscripts etc. that looks quite interesting. The thing I don't like about this library website is its layout and design is very plain.

American Library Association
American Library Association (ALA) website looks very good. It is one of the oldest and largest library association in the world. ALA website is full of information and is very useful for Librarians. This library website's home page has link to banned and challenged books that looks interesting. There is ALA online learning link that is access to online courses, e-forums, webinars & webcasts from ALA. I really liked this website as it so much things to explore.

New York Public Library
New York Public Library (NYPL) website's main page looks very attractive. Drop-down menus in this website make it very easy to navigate. 'How to find things' link in this website explains new user how to find materials from the catalogue and other information in the website. In its home page there is information about recently arrived books and also books recommended by the librarians of NYPL. Website also gives information about technology skills classes run by library that is free of cost.

Australian Library and Information Association
ALIA website looks decent and beautiful. Color combination  used is very nice. The site is very informative. It has so many links under menu option, you can navigate easily to different places. The website is created by CouchCreative in Drupal. I visited CouchCreative website that is really cool. Website also has information about different events ALIA is organizing. ALIA membership is very important for every library professional, the website also informs about its membership requirements and process.

Brimbank Libraries
The website looks colourful and interesting. It is user-friendly and easy to use. Most of the information link is in homepage and easier to navigate through the tabs. The website can be viewed in different languages which is a plus point. It provides most of the information about using library, events happening there in very detail with pictures that surely grabs visitors attention. Javascript is used for designing this website. I didn't see many social media links in this website that helps users to stay connected to library.

Different Resources Libraries use

Tutorial - Building website using Dreamweaver
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08CshKXqzoA (youtube video)

How to design a library website
http://libraryconnectarchive.elsevier.com/lcp/0502/lcp0502.pdf

Best practices in school library website design
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/969

School library websites: Best practice-Examples
http://schoollibrarywebsites.wikispaces.com/

Design criteria for school library-powerpoint presentation
http://www.slideshare.net/WJen11/presentationweb-design-criteria-for-school-libraries

National Library Standards Activities
http://www.nla.gov.au/about-us/standards

Public Library Website Guidelines
http://www.olis.ri.gov/pubs/plstandards/websites.php

Eight class-4th September

Hi everyone,

In today's class we talked about news in library this week like..

Birmingham's new central library has opened at a cost of £189m. 
The new library features a rooftop garden and panoramic views of the city

We also looked at the design of Geelong Library and Heritage Centre..wow...the dome shape is simply amazing. You can have a look at following site:
http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/glhc/

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