Designing Web Interfaces To Library Services And Resources

Libraries can build Web sites unrivaled in content - commercial databases, online catalogs, community resources, Web indexes - but it takes a well-designed interface to make the content accessible, in the library tradition of access for all, you must not only consider the 50 million plus people in the United States with some kind of disability, but also users running Netscape 2.0 on a 486. As librarians in the acclaimed JSTOR electronic publishing project, authors Kristen L. Garlock and Sherry Piortek have worked with dozens of participating libraries in troubleshooting problems and soliciting user feedback. Drawing on their experience, they identify the methods behind the best library Web site designs.

"Exploring the myriad issues regarding web accessibility, this book specifically focuses on the design and implementation of web-enabled teaching tools. Educators from across the United States and Canada present their ideas on such topics as legal implications, overcoming organizational barriers, and course designs for the electronic classroom. Also discussed are special opportunities provided by web accessibility in education, such as web-based distance learning and teaching technology for blind or visually impaired faculty."

Want to learn how to create great user experiences on today's Web? In this book, UI experts Bill Scott and Theresa Neil present more than 75 design patterns for building web interfaces that provide rich interaction. Distilled from the authors' years of experience at Sabre, Yahoo!, and Netflix, these best practices are grouped into six key principles to help you take advantage of the web technologies available today. With an entire section devoted to each design principle, Designing Web Interfaces helps you: Make It Direct-Edit content in context with design patterns for In Page Editing, Drag & Drop, and Direct Selection Keep It Lightweight-Reduce the effort required to interact with a site by using In Context Tools to leave a "light footprint" Stay on the Page-Keep visitors on a page with overlays, inlays, dynamic content, and in-page flow patterns Provide an Invitation-Help visitors discover site features with invitations that cue them to the next level of interaction Use Transitions-Learn when, why, and how to use animations, cinematic effects, and other transitions React Immediately-Provide a rich experience by using lively responses such as Live Search, Live Suggest, Live Previews, and more Designing Web Interfaces illustrates many patterns with examples from working websites. If you need to build or renovate a website to be truly interactive, this book gives you the principles for success.

Make your library the place to be. The library is still the best place to go for traditional information - and for everything from Internet access, database reference, video and CD check-out to engaging exhibits, entertaining events, and more. The challenge is getting your customers and community to believe that their library has more to offer today than it ever did. It's up to you to communicate that the home or work computer can't come close to delivering the unique services your library provides. And you can do this with Powerful Public Relations. Whether you have a lot of time to devote to a PR program or just a few hours here and there, communicating your library's many benefits is paramount to the satisfaction and number of customers you have each day. Here are just a few of the ways that savvy PR can work to sell your library's image. You'll learn how to: * Produce eye-catching brochures using desktop technology * Create a Web-based PR strategy and plan * Develop multimedia promotional programs that can be set up in the library * Plan special events and exhibits that will generate publicity and attendance With sample screen captures, press releases, public service announce

The Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, comprising of seven volumes, now in its fourth edition, compiles the contributions of major researchers and practitioners and explores the cultural institutions of more than 30 countries. This major reference presents over 550 entries extensively reviewed for accuracy in seven print volumes or online. The new fourth edition, which includes 55 new entires and 60 revised entries, continues to reflect the growing convergence among the disciplines that influence information and the cultural record, with coverage of the latest topics as well as classic articles of historical and theoretical importance.

This guide aims to help both experts and beginners to determine how well their Websites are performing for their customers. Applying the best practices of usability testing, you should learn how easy it is for trained users to interact with it, and whether users are motivated to use the technology.

Catch up with the many innovations now affecting sci/tech libraries! The twenty-four chapters in Innovations in Science and Technology Libraries discuss the creation of digital collections, e-repositories, personalized Web environments, and discipline-specific Web sites for students and researchers. The book also explores the use of new technologies to improve document delivery and service provision as well as demonstrations of leadership by science librarians who are willing to take risks, adapt to change, control costs, and collaborate with colleagues. Here is just a fraction of the fascinating cases and important concepts highlighted in Innovations in Science and Technology Libraries: the Drexel University Library’s transition from print to an electronic-only journal collection the benefits of adopting a just-in-time (purchase on demand) rather than a just-in-case acquisitions policy IntelliDoc—how it has raised the standard for document delivery worldwide and increased international recognition of CISTI how California State University, Sacramento, merged its science library into its central reference department—an examination of the two-year merging process the creation of branch libraries focused on electronic information—an engineering library at Kansas State University and an agriculture library at the University of Manitoba the impact of electronic information upon undergraduate science education literacy competencies in the sciences—and their implications for library instruction how the MIT libraries created and developed the Reference Vision system that now guides all of their new reference services the impact of learning communities upon library services recent additions that enhance the usefulness of the IEEE Xplore online delivery system Innovations in Science and Technology Libraries will bring you up-to-date on the latest developments, sharpen your awareness of new concepts and techniques in sci/tech librarianship, and help your library stay abreast of important changes in this ever-evolving field. Make it a part of your professional reference collection today!

This book discusses the topic of ‘weblogs and libraries’ from two main perspectives: weblogs as sources of information for libraries and librarians; and weblogs as tools that libraries can use to promote their services and to provide a means of communication with their clients. It begins with an overview of the whole weblog and blogging phenomenon. The many different kinds of weblogs are outlined (including personal weblogs, community weblogs, multimedia weblogs). The problem of locating weblogs is addressed through a discussion of weblog directories, search engines and other finding tools. Chapters include using weblogs as sources of information in the library or information service, the options for creating a weblog, and managing the library’s own weblog. No other book currently available specifically addresses this highly topical subject Weblogs are becoming more important as sources of up-to-date information on many different topics, and so librarians need to be aware of these resources, how they are created and by whom Weblogs are already important as sources of news and current professional information in the field of library and information science; this book helps librarians to become familiar with the best weblogs in this field