[WEB4LIB] Re: Splash Pages: Judicious Use

[Tami-Jo M. Eckley]

There are some interesting points here.  I am trying really hard to think this through and make it work somehow.  I was thinking that the splash page would be the page where we list news, events, exhibits, and link to our "new home page" which would list the databases, request forms, subject guides, etc.  However, there would be no getting around that "extra click" from people in house since a selection for the "library" would always show up in the college menu bar at the top of the page.  So really, the "splash page" acts more like an internal page.  I began to think that maybe this page can be a "site index" to the library as well.  Thoughts in progress...




---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Kevin Nolan" <nolan at adelphi.edu>
Reply-To: nolan at adelphi.edu
Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2000 11:30:07 -0700 (PDT)

Perhaps you're right, perhaps using a big image is not the best way to display the info. This may not be the best example. But I think what I meant to point out is: if your library or university or organization decides to use a splash page it should be for the right reasons, and should serve some informative or instructive aim and not be used simply to showcase your Flash skills or interject a needless interruption to your users' experience. Anyway, that's what I tried to say. : ) 

--KN

----------------------------
A 200k GIF just to tell me that Homecoming is on October 28?  I don't
think that really passes muster as a useful page.  :-)

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


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin Nolan" <nolan at adelphi.edu>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2000 12:26 PM
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Splash Pages: Judicious Use


> Most Web people I know discourage the use of splash pages. I too think
they are for the most part unnecessary.
>
> That said, like any Web design component, if used properly and
judiciously, splash pages can be useful from an informational/content
point of view. The key is to not allow splash pages to serve a PR or
advertising function solely.
>
> Here is an example of a promotional use of a splash page that is at the
same time informative: www.stjohns.edu.
>
> >From a PR/advertising perspective: It allows prospective students to
"witness" what is going on at St. John's.
> >From an informational/content perspective: It informs the campus
community about a major University event.
>
> Libraries could of course do the same thing, i.e. promote major library
events or programs.
>
> Of course, a library or university needs to be choosy re: which events
are worthy of being promoted on the splash page. And that may result in
some serious internal political battles.
>


--
Tami-Jo Eckley
Electronic Services & Media Librarian
Manhattanville College Library
Purchase, New York 10577
http://www.mville.edu/library
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