[WEB4LIB] RE: Politics (was library jargon, which was "Our

[Kraemer, Beth]

Well, I don't think such standards could be hard and fast and I don't think
anyone should be hung by their thumbs for not adhering!  But standards are
emerging (e.g., logo in top left) and it might be possible to give the
process a bump through some coordinated effort.  Standards could even be by
logical groupings of libraries (e.g., ARL guidelines) or consortia, which
might have more homogenous users and materials.  -Beth

-----Original Message-----
From: Robin Boulton [mailto:rboulton at linc.lib.il.us] 
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 12:06 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] RE: Politics (was library jargon, which was "Our


Yes, but who would decide what are the standards to which we should all 
adhere... and how long would it take?   ):<)


At 07:41 AM 5/20/2002 -0700, Kraemer, Beth wrote:
>With all the variations in terminology (and layout) *between* library 
>web sites, no wonder users are confused!  Way back when, you could walk 
>into a new library for the first time, find the "card catalog" and 
>start searching. How about a "Standards of Library Web Design" 
>conference...
>
>*******************************************
>Beth Kraemer
>Electronic Resources
>2-1 William T. Young Library
>University of Kentucky
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: N. Lynn Schlatter [mailto:lschlatt at smlnet.sml.lib.la.us]
>Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 10:20 AM
>To: Multiple recipients of list
>Subject: [WEB4LIB] RE: Politics (was library jargon, which was "Our 
>usability test...")
>
>
>One of the things that has made me envious of the people responding on 
>this thread is that they seem to be able to place users' needs ahead of 
>everything else for web design decisions.  If only...
>
>Here's the reality at my place.  Our public library web site now has a 
>very simple (one might even say "austere") gateway.  Previously, every 
>time I put a new link on the front page, four other people wanted their 
>information there as well.  Job Openings, Poem of the Day, Building 
>Program, Board of Control, etc.  For the sake of employment security, I 
>stopped trying to referee what was really important enough for the 
>front page and kicked them all off.
>
>BTW, I keep looking for a "Politics of Web Design" conference and never 
>find one ;-).
>
>Lynn Schlatter
>Instructional Coordinator
>Shreve Memorial Library
>www.shreve-lib.org
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: web4lib at webjunction.org 
>[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On
>Behalf Of Robert Kalabus
>Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 2:07 PM
>To: Multiple recipients of list
>Subject: [WEB4LIB] RE: library jargon (was "Our usability test...")
>
>
><snip>
>
>Maybe that could be an advertising campaign:  SCROLLING BEATS CLICKING 
>EVERYTIME.
>
>Personally, I hate gateway pages and prefer to have access to 
>everything at once.  Web sites should be designed to be convenient and 
>fast for experienced users as well as explanatory enough for the 
>inexperienced ones.
>
>Robert Kalabus
>Hay Library
>Western Wyoming Community College
>
><snip>