[WEB4LIB] Re: Library Web Page Use

[Hugh Jarvis]

Hmm, may I ask why a clean, lean, and very functional site cannot also
be a marketing tool..?  How about a nice tight tool set with a small
amount of space reserved for a pretty picture of happy patrons and a
short snippet of text ("...in 2000, the library collection reached XXXX
books and journals.").  Pictures and text could randomly rotate from a
simple database.  There are many facets to "marketing"...

This is a great thread.

(I am a librarian who works in a marketing/publications office that is
also responsible for our main university pages.)

	Hugh

Hugh Jarvis  (PhD, MLS)
Cybrarian/Web Information Coordinator
Creative Services - University at Buffalo
330 Crofts Hall, Buffalo, New York, USA 14260-7015
Tel: 716 645-5000 x1428
Fax: 716 646-3765
Email: hjarvis at buffalo.edu (preferred)


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Dan Lester
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2001 8:41 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Library Web Page Use



Friday, December 07, 2001, 8:11:37 AM, you wrote:

KH> Your attempts to use Website usage stats may work if the campus
administration
KH> takes such information into their considerations.  However, it
sounds like simple
KH> usage stats may not affect their decisions.  The campus
administration must make a
KH> decision on the purpose of the site.

    The library must make the same decision regarding the purpose of
    the library site.  There are a few in our organization who think
    our library page should be a work of art, to suck in potential
    students, or maybe even donors.  The majority, and those who make
    final decisions, said that the library site isn't a marketing
    tool, but a useful tool for library patrons.  It isn't fancy or
    beautiful or flashy.  It doesn't have pretty pictures beautiful
    fonts.  It does, however, seem to lead patrons pretty quickly to
    what they need to do their research or homework.  Comments always
    appreciated off list should you have any.

    http://library.boisestate.edu

    dan

--
Dan Lester, Data Wrangler  dan at RiverOfData.com 208-283-7711
3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho  83716-7115 USA
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