Library Web site ROI

[Karen G. Schneider]

>Existing library and archive Web sites run the gamut between Information
>pages (electronic business cards) to complex Web sites providing both
>information and services.  All of them cost money and organizational
>resources to design, publish and maintain.  Few, if any, either seek to
>recover costs from site users or market other products as commercial,
>e-commerce sites commonly do.

Yes, and strangely enough, we give away books for free, as well.  All we
ask is that you bring them back. 

>Web sites to be arrived at?  According to Hallows, a benefit either
>saves money for an organization or generates profits.

This rather Malthusian picture of the world may well suit the for-profit
environment.  However, when we are discussing libraries, particularly
public and academic libraries, one point to keep in mind is that libraries
deliberately operate at a loss.  You would have to redefine what a "profit"
is to place most library benefits within the "Hallows" framework.  

>4. Why do libraries and archives publish and maintain Web sites often at
>great expense?
>  a. Because it can be done?
>  b. Because everyone else is doing it?

Because we're rather fond of lifelong learning, pleasure reading, and other
activities related to the pursuit of happiness.  Now, having said that, it
is worth asking how your library website complements your mission.  A very
good introduction to some of the services library websites can make
possible or facilitate  is Volume 15, Number 3-4 of Library Hi-Tech (1997),
which was a special issue devoted to "the best library-related web sites."
Advertising, patron assistance, access to databases, special guides and
webliographies, training materials, press releases and library-advocacy
propaganda are just a few of the benefits of a library website.  

_________________________________________________________
Karen G. Schneider |  kgs at bluehighways.com http://www.bluehighways.com
Author: A Practical Guide to Internet Filters, Neal Schuman, 1997 
Director, Garfield Library of Brunswick, NY  garfield at crisny.org
Garfield on the Web: http://www.crisny.org/not-for-profit/garfield
Information is hard work
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