[WEB4LIB] Library web site organization

[Thomas Dowling]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Smith" <tsmith1 at ohiou.edu>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2000 8:31 AM
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Library web site organization

> My question--you surely saw it coming--then is whether it would work to
> arrange a library's web site like Yahoo or LII. Rather than splitting
> databases, reference sites, etc. into separate categories on the home
page,
> use a top-level subject hierarchy, with functional or format categories
> underneath. I doubt that most of our users think in terms of format
first.
> It's pretty abstract, and is not entirely satisfactory anyway: where do
you
> categorize a multi-format database?
>

In every format where it's relevant.

As Tim may be aware, OhioLINK was recently charged with a web site
redesign that will include a predominantly subject-oriented view of all
our resources.  To be honest, I'm not completely satisified with any of
the subject divisions we've, and I will avoid like the plague the
inevitable arguments about whether Resource X should go in *this* subject
or *that* subject or both or neither, and whether Subject Y should be
presented when we really don't have much to offer there.  If the process
takes a year (and it might), that will be why.

Thomas Dowling
OhioLINK - Ohio Library and Information Network
tdowling at ohiolink.edu