Library Web Page Use

[Athena Hoeppner]

To paraphrase one of my favorite library quotations: A University is a
Library surrounded by buildings. (No, I don't know who I'm quoting, and
I can't look it up right now.)

>>> Daniel Messer <dmesser at yvrls.lib.wa.us> 12/10/01 01:59PM >>>
***some text deleted***

>    I think they're 100% right in using the web page as a marketing
tool.
>Anyone who doesn't think that a university is a business is living in
Happy
>Fantasy Land. Universities are special in that you pay the same money
you
>would to a corporation, receive the same respect that you do at the
DMV, and
>pay money to just attend. And yet people still want to go.
Universities are
>businesses, and since there's more than one university, there's going
to be
>competition for money. And the new millennium way to pull in money is
to use a
>snazzy website.

OK, universities are businesses... what are we selling?  For the most
part, our product is a group of services, mostly education, but also
other services - parking, access to information, etc.  So, do we use the
university web site to market to potential customers or to serve our
current ones?  UCF's marketing department is most concerned with
potential customers and partners - that is their job, so their outward
focus is predictable and defendable.  I am most interested in using the
web to serve our current students and faculty - that is my job, so my
inward focus is predictable and defendable.

The web has potential to enhance existing services (i.e. web-based
library services), offer new services (i.e. online classes), and
facilitate business transactions (i.e. paying fees, signing up for
classes, etc.)   I'd like to think that neglecting these areas in favor
of flashy pages with content for potential customers eventually
undermine's the university's ability to market itself.  I'd like to
think that it's content and services that makes a university, or
website, great.  

All very well, but how do you get a link to the library on the main
university site?  
*  Prove yourself by producing a library website that reflects your
service orientation, and complies with university design concepts and
standards.
*  Attend all the university web meetings that you can.  Be as involved
in the web decisions as you can.  About 2 + years ago, UCF went through
a major website redesign.  Many committees and working teams were
created.  At least one librarian was on every one of those teams.  There
was no question that the library would have a link on the main site. 
:-)  This, was possible only with support from library administration.
*  The Library needs to be generally involved on campus - be on
campus-wide committees, have a senator, if allowed, or someone who
attends the senate meetings.  Outreach, outreach, outreach!
*  Ally the library with distance education departments/people.  DE was
very "sexy" a few years ago, and the alliance has served the library,
and our web presence, well.
*  Cooperate with technology departments.
*  Encourage faculty and students to speak up for the library's
presence, if necessary.
*  Finally, convince marketing that the library is a selling point for
the university.  I'm still working on this argument.  ;-)  I did get
some nice ammunition recently.  A highly qualified candidate was invited
for an interview.  When asked why she applied at UCF, she replied that
the library's prominence on the university web site impressed her. I'm
sure Florida's balmy weather was no attraction at all.

All this may not be enough to ensure a link on the university main
page, but at least you will have the opportunity to voiced your
position.  You may be in a better position to negotiate - the link may
not be on the main page, but on a predictable secondary page.  


Athena (who's feeling wordy)