[WEB4LIB] Re: Library Websites that use

[Ryan Eby]

I'm not sure if I'd call that a use of icons. When I think icons I
think more of a standalone graphics that can be used as a way to
signify something instead of just an illustration for the text. The
ones on the arizona site I would consider just clipart. Georgia State
University Library's site has something closer on the right hand side:
http://www.library.gsu.edu/

I can definitely see some areas of some sites that could benefit from
the use of icons to help guide users to areas they need to look at.
Things like the old question mark in a circle or triangle with a
exclamation mark. There's a few screens I've come across where some
important information was hard to find because it wasn't set apart
from the information around it. An example of good use is in some
indexes where they put a check mark in front  of the journals you have
access to and x's in front of ones you don't (though it can be argued
that they shouldn't show it at all but they might use it as a way to
get patrons to ask for more access). A bad example is where there are
lots of icons in the catalog search results. I've seen a few where
it's extremely difficult to read or scan through the list because of
huge videotape icons and the like. Perhaps if they were smaller, it
would be more useful.

Another example is my library using icons to show the access level of
resources. There was a previous message about the usability of such a
thing. I think it depends on who and where the person is. Someone who
is in the library will likely presume they have access and the icons
will just confuse them.
http://er.lib.msu.edu/alpha_all.cfm?letter=B&type=Indexes

I usually make the assumption that if it's on that list I should be
able to access it if I'm on campus or if I'm off campus I need to use
a proxy server. I haven't figured out the campus only resources and I
question whether local resources should really be in a "e-resources"
list. Even if they are on digital media. Most of the calls I get
regarding issues with this is because the patron doesn't realize they
can access the resources at home. This is more of a PR/patron
education issue than with the icons.

Another use of icons that helps are those orange rss icons. When I
look at a site and wonder if they have RSS feeds I often scan for that
icon. If I don't see it I might glance for text about syndication but
I rarely will ever check the sourcecode to see if they have links to
feeds included in the header. By using the rss/xml icons you can use
what people expect to help them find the information easier.

I can probably dig up some examples of icon use at other sites as
well. Don't have any handy at the minute.

Ryan Eby


On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 15:55:44 -0800 (PST), Deirdre Irvine <irvine at uiuc.edu> wrote:
> Hello-- as far as using icons -- our arch-enemy the
> University of Arizona uses icons:
> http://www.library.arizona.edu/
> 
> I thought maybe you could see these and it would help?  I
> don't whether I like them or not-- but then again I might
> have a small prejudice.
> 
> Hope this helps?
> 
> Deirdre A. Irvine
> LEEP / ASU Libraries
> Work Phone: 480 965 4896
> Home Phone: 602 437 2688
> Alternate e-mail: d at asu.edu
> 
>