[Web4lib] What to call the links

[Elder, James]

We're a public library and our language is still centered around the "library" language. I'm one of the people that believes that the language used on the web site needs to reflect the general population language rather than "library" language. The reason is that most people aren't librarians (myself included) and users are accustomed to language from other, non-library websites with similar objectives. We often compare the large sites (Google, Amazon.com) for what language they're using - this helps the user not have to relearn how to browse our site. It makes them feel more comfortable because they feel like "they've done this before". Obviously you can't always do that, but whenever we're able we try to. So I encourage all of you that work on your library's site to think of the end user when deciding language rather than from a librarian's perspective.  

James Elder
Web Design Specialist
Orange County Library System
www.ocls.info


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of HAZEL Margaret E
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 11:57 AM
To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Web4lib] What to call the links

 And for Public Libraries?  Anyone gathered that data recently that they
can share?

Margaret E. Hazel
Principal Librarian, Technology
Eugene Public Library
Eugene, OR
541-682-6015


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Edwards
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:27 AM
To: Leo Robert Klein
Cc: Web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] What to call the links

All:

My survey of library website language is available here:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p8kTawTxfuMk3AFyxwaEaXw

Thomas, I'd be interested in the results of your study as well.  The
resource that I referred to was this site, mentioned in an earlier
message:
Library Terms That Users Understand
John Kupersmith

http://www.jkup.net/terms.html

Elizabeth


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