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Article
Publication date: 2 February 2015

Anusha Lakmini Wijayaratne and Diljit Singh

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a library website model. Further, the paper discusses a designer’s checklist and an evaluative instrument that were constructed based on…

2232

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a library website model. Further, the paper discusses a designer’s checklist and an evaluative instrument that were constructed based on the proposed model.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was developed through a Delphi study that was participated by two panels of experts. The researcher communicated with the panel members via e-mail using two Delphi instruments designed out of two item pools that were developed based on the knowledge gained from surveying the literature, visiting the selected libraries and exploring the library websites. Then, a designer’s checklist and an evaluative instrument were derived from the proposed model through a series of brainstorming sessions.

Findings

The proposed model consisted of altogether 140 items (60 web content elements and 80 web design features). The designer’s checklist comprises all 140 items, and the evaluative instrument comprises 60 content elements and 57 design features.

Research limitations/implications

This study has developed an academic library website model and derived two instruments based on the proposed model. Further studies are needed to customize, particularly, the web content pillar of this conceptual model, to meet the specific needs of different types of libraries including public libraries, special libraries, school libraries, etc.

Practical implications

The designer’s checklist and the evaluative instrument derived from the proposed model are useful tools for library professionals in designing, re-designing, maintaining and evaluating their library websites. The librarians may use these tools for both institutional and research purposes.

Originality/value

The model and the two instruments proposed by this study are unique in focus, origin, content and presentation.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 33 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2001

Axel Schmetzke

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that library programs and services must be accessible to people with disabilities. In an era in which much information resides…

3931

Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that library programs and services must be accessible to people with disabilities. In an era in which much information resides in digitalized form on the WWW, the ADA’s mandate must be interpreted as applying not only to physical space but also to cyberspace. Just as in the physical world, proper design is a crucial issue. Only accessibly designed Web pages ensure that all people, including those with print disabilities, have access to Web‐based information. Previous studies indicate that a large proportion of campus and university library Web pages are not accessible. This study looks at the universities that, according to US News & World Report, have the nation’s 24 most highly ranked schools of library and information science (SLIS). The findings give cause for concern. It is reasonable to assume that low Web page accessibility at the nation’s leading library schools reflects a lack of awareness about this issue among the leaders and trainers in the library profession.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2015

Daniel Earl Wilson

– This paper aims to evaluate the website content of Alabama academic libraries to examine their services, content and compliance with design and accessibility standards.

2168

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the website content of Alabama academic libraries to examine their services, content and compliance with design and accessibility standards.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis was conducted on 24 academic library websites discovered through Jeanne Burke’s Higher Education Directory and the Alabama Colleges directory website. All data were collected within a month.

Findings

Study data revealed that while academic libraries are offering more online services, many continue to lack certain services or fail to implement basic web design and accessibility standards.

Research limitations/implications

Inclusion into the study was limited to the independent library websites of Alabama institutions offering four-year degree courses and content data discoverable within three clicks of the home page. Future studies might identify why certain libraries lack reference chat services, social media accounts and/or certain accessibility accommodations. Additional research might evaluate multilingual websites and their methods for providing language options.

Practical implications

The results of this study should assist in the evaluation of library websites and increase awareness of design and accessibility standards, enabling designers and policy makers to improve upon future website designs.

Originality/value

This study presents a depth of evaluation and currency unseen in most web content analyses. The extent of this study should provide librarians, web designers, and library policy makers with a suitable comparison for website projects and evaluations.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 33 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2015

Shailendra Kumar and Gareema Sanaman

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by blind/vision-impaired users during the web access in the leading academic and special libraries of Delhi, India.

1912

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by blind/vision-impaired users during the web access in the leading academic and special libraries of Delhi, India.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey methodology has been used as the basic research tool for data collection with the help of questionnaire. A total of 125 users surveyed in all the five libraries are selected randomly on the basis of willingness of the users to participate in the survey with the experience of working in digital environment. The survey results were tabulated and analysed with descriptive statistics methods using Excel software and “Stata version 11”.

Findings

There are various barriers faced by blind/vision-impaired users in the libraries of Delhi (India) during the “web access” with the help of assistive technologies as assistive technology like “Screen Readers” available today are “somewhat compatible” with the web. The facility of “web-based catalogue” is generally lacking in Delhi libraries.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not offer a comprehensive set of web accessibility issues, concentrating instead on the most common problems as epitome of this study.

Practical implications

The paper raises awareness of web accessibility issues in libraries of Delhi, India.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the web accessibility issues faced by blind/vision-impaired users of leading academic and special libraries of India including the users’ recommendations for the accessible web page/website design for the first time.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 33 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1999

Xiaodong Li

To improve the design of the library home page and facilitate user access to it, a Web usage analysis was conducted by the Humanities & Social Sciences Services at Texas Aamp;M…

1220

Abstract

To improve the design of the library home page and facilitate user access to it, a Web usage analysis was conducted by the Humanities & Social Sciences Services at Texas Aamp;M University General Libraries through examination of statistics generated by Web tracking software, which many library managers are now implementing. The study examined the geographic distribution of users and usage patterns of the library Web page, the peak usage times, and the computer environment information, which includes type of Web browsers, operating systems, screen resolutions, and screen colors, etc. In addition, the study also compared usage statistics gathered before and after the library’s Web page promotion activities, to measure the effectiveness of these business management and library marketing efforts. The findings of the study concentrate on identifying Web page design problems, thus allowing the establishment of recommendations that will modify standards of library Web page design and improve strategies of library home page promotion.

Details

The Bottom Line, vol. 12 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0888-045X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 August 2010

James T. Mellone and David J. Williams

The purpose of this paper is to examine the best practices in web site redesign the authors established for its two interconnected parts, the web development process and web design

1426

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the best practices in web site redesign the authors established for its two interconnected parts, the web development process and web design. The paper demonstrates how best practices were applied to coordinate a library web site redesign project and to engineer the web site for optimum usability, resulting in the creation of a new improved web site.

Design/methodology/approach

A problem‐solution approach was used to analyze how the Queens College Libraries (QCL) fell behind in web technology and how it revitalized its web operations. The paper presents a detailed exposition of a three stage project, and provides reasons for adopting best practices in redesigning each web site area.

Findings

In a resource‐challenged mid‐sized academic library, like QCL, it is still possible to create a fully functional easy‐to‐use web site.

Practical implications

The QCL experience has lessons for other libraries in similar circumstances. A mid‐sized academic library adopting a best practices approach to web redesign can successfully coordinate an open and inclusive development process and use public web standards to engineer a functional web site responsive to user needs.

Originality/value

Unlike other case studies of web redesign projects at academic libraries, this paper focus on both the web development process and web design, explicating the establishment and application of best practices for both areas.

Details

OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, vol. 26 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-075X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 November 2007

David Comeaux and Axel Schmetzke

Only properly designed web sites are accessible to people with print disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to follow up on earlier investigations of this kind by looking at…

4460

Abstract

Purpose

Only properly designed web sites are accessible to people with print disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to follow up on earlier investigations of this kind by looking at the web sites of all 56 ALA‐accredited library schools, and of the libraries on these campuses.

Design/methodology/approach

Bobby 3.1.1 was used to evaluate compliance with major accessible web design guidelines. In addition, key web pages were checked manually for the presence of skip‐navigation components, and the sites' re‐design status was ascertained. The results were presented in the form of basic descriptive statistics, including percentages of Bobby‐approved pages and the average number of barriers per page. Correlations of the current accessibility data with older data sets and with library school ratings were also calculated.

Findings

The results indicate that despite an increase in accessibility, only 50 to 60 per cent of the web sites were free of Bobby‐detectable errors. Canadian sites were more accessible than US sites. Contrary to previous findings, recently redesigned sites tended to be more accessible. Highly ranked sites also tended to have higher accessibility scores. US sites showed a random‐like up‐and‐down movement in accessibility status between 2002 and 2006.

Research limitations/implications

The collected data reflect compliance with only a subset of accessible design principles.

Practical implications

More education and continued advocacy is needed to increase web accessibility at libraries and library schools and to help establish library schools as models of program accessibility.

Originality/value

This is the only study that provides trend information about the accessibility of a broader set of library and library school web sites.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2001

Susan McMullen

An intuitive library information gateway is critical to meeting the information needs of library users in the digital age. This article describes the process involved in…

2570

Abstract

An intuitive library information gateway is critical to meeting the information needs of library users in the digital age. This article describes the process involved in redesigning a library Web site. In addition to first determining the goals and requirements for the library Web site, a user and task analysis was conducted for defining the library’s user base and the types of tasks which users might be performing at the site. Usability testing methods, such as observational interviews, provided fresh insights about how users are interacting with the library Web interface as they approach various information seeking tasks. These usability studies uncovered problems related to unclear terminology, proper use of color, size, and location for navigational links, and the need for context sensitive help, built‐in redundancy, and clear and consistent navigation.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Li Zhang

The paper seeks to explore and discuss in detail the application of instructional media features in developing web‐based library instruction in order to strengthen students'…

2758

Abstract

Purpose

The paper seeks to explore and discuss in detail the application of instructional media features in developing web‐based library instruction in order to strengthen students' online learning experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper surveys research findings on instructional media features that can be incorporated into library instruction in the web environment. The effective use of media elements such as text, color, graphics, navigation systems, audio, video, as well as the implementation of interaction and feedback, are analyzed. Exemplary illustrations supplement the discussions of guidelines for the design of successful online library tutorials.

Findings

Academic libraries are taking advantage of technological innovations to extend instructional opportunities and enrich traditional classroom‐based bibliographic instruction. Web‐based library instruction requires more than duplicating print instructional materials on the web. Good online information tutorials should effectively incorporate multiple instructional media into the web presence to convey the instruction in multi‐stimulating ways.

Practical implications

The findings of the paper will be helpful to librarians who plan to design and develop web‐based instruction or online tutorials for the greater engagement of students.

Originality/value

The paper provides practical help to librarians in obtaining an understanding of various instructional media capabilities for creating effective online instructional materials.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2012

Robert Fox

This column aims to examine web design methodology given the rapid proliferation of internet accessible devices, and to offer as a solution responsive web design. Responsive web

1557

Abstract

Purpose

This column aims to examine web design methodology given the rapid proliferation of internet accessible devices, and to offer as a solution responsive web design. Responsive web design changes the focus from being device and template centered to being content centered, which is appropriate for the types of services that libraries offer in the web context.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an exploratory column. A brief review of the current literature regarding responsive web design was done prior to writing the column.

Findings

Libraries should benefit greatly, both regarding the time invested in web design, as well as the effectiveness of services offered on the web, if responsive design is adopted.

Originality/value

Responsive web design is relatively new, and is still being explored by professional web developers. Libraries that are able to adopt this methodology early on will be ahead of the curve of rapidly multiplying devices used to access the internet.

Details

OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1065-075X

Keywords

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