[WEB4LIB] Re: Does your library site have a name?

[Daniel Messer]

    That's a really good question. I think that, if a library is going to name their website
and/or their catalog, they should keep in mind to give it a name that at least semi-identifies
the purpose involved. When I was at CWU, they called their OPAC "CATTRAX" which makes some
kind of sense as the mascot was a wildcat. Your example, "Unicorn", would be a terrible name
for an OPAC because it doesn't give any indication of what it's for. At the very least, if the
catalog has a special name, the name on the website should be followed by the words "Online
catalog" or something to that effect. On the CWU Library website, they identify it as "CATTRAX
Online Catalog" in order to reduce confusion

Steve Cramer wrote:

> In terms of usability, isn't it more effective for a library web site or
> catalog to be called what it is? I seen a couple of reports of libraries
> realizing that cutesy names (ex. calling a catalog "Unicorn") can confuse users.
>
> Example:
>
> Usability of the Academic Library Web Site: Implications for Design
> Louise McGillis and Elaine G. Toms
> C&RL, 62 (4), July 2001, p. 355-68.
>
> --Steve
>
> On Thu, 29 Nov 2001 13:26:51 -0800 (PST) Martin Jenkins <martin.jenkins at wright.edu> wrote:
>
> > Posted to Web4Lib and MLA-L; apologies for any duplication.
> >
> > Does your library website have a catchy name, something other than "the
> > XXU Library website"? My sense is that while most places gave catchy
> > names to their online catalogs (OSCAR, Melvyl, RaiderLink, etc.), such
> > has not been the trend for websites.
> > If your library does have a named site, please let me know.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Marty Jenkins
> > --
> > Martin Jenkins
> > Music and Humanities Librarian
> > Wright State University
> > Dayton Ohio 45435
> > martin.jenkins at wright.edu
>
> __________________________________________
> Steve Cramer
> Business Librarian
> University of North Carolina at Greensboro
> smcramer at uncg.edu
> 336-256-0346

--
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