[WEB4LIB] Re: Library Web Page Use

[Daniel Messer]

Hugh Jarvis wrote:

> 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"...

    I don't see any reason why it couldn't. However I think there's a real
balance there that needs to be sustained. I hate to compare marketing
library web pages to shopping for a car, but it kind of fits. If I look for
a new car, I want something that looks good. But I also want something
extremely functional. Where I live, it gets very hot in the summer, so a
sports car like the Mitsubishi 3000GT should be okay right? Nope, right
now, it's far from summer and there's plenty of snow outside and, last time
I checked, more was being added. As nifty as the 3000GT looks, it's useless
in this kind of weather. So what I'd want is a nice looking 4x4 with A/C
for the summer.
    My thoughts are that a library web page should offer the same balance
between good looks and easy functionality. The images of smiley happy
patrons, exterior and interior views of the library, and notes on book
quantities should be offered where they do not interfere with a patron
checking their account, reserving a book, or accessing a database. A
library webmaster needs to be careful that their page doesn't suffer the
same mistakes of the university home page, namely  hiding the useful stuff
in favour of good looks.

> This is a great thread.

    Ya darned right it is. :)

--
Mondai wa
The subject in question...
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Daniel Messer, Technology Instructor
Yakima Valley Regional Library
102 N 3rd St Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 452-8541 x712
dmesser at yvrls.lib.wa.us
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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
                     -Hunter S. Thompson