Emergency Treatments for Library Web Sites Laura Solomon Library Services Manager OPLIN [email_address]

Main categories of issues: Layout Text Images Navigation Other

Layout

Text

Images

Navigation

Other

Problems with Layout

Problems with Layout

Too cluttered and busy

Frames are EVIL

Horizontal scrolling…just say “no.”

Other layout issues Lack of consistent design White space is not evil

Lack of consistent design

White space is not evil

Text-related Problems

Text-related Problems

Typography problems Too many fonts used on the site Too many colors on the page Using serif fonts for the majority of text Inappropriate font use

Too many fonts used on the site

Too many colors on the page

Using serif fonts for the majority of text

Inappropriate font use

The quickest way to say “1998”

Contrast is vital

Watch the “welcomes”

Calm down

People don’t read

Other text-related issues Acronyms Library jargon Lack of a tagline Spelling errors

Acronyms

Library jargon

Lack of a tagline

Spelling errors

Navigational Problems

Navigational Problems

Welcome to our web site!! CLICK TO ENTER!

Clue in your users Visited Unvisited

Visited

Unvisited

Where do I start?

Drop-down, fly-out menus…CAUTION

Leave a trail of breadcrumbs

Other navigational issues Not labeling PDF links Not using conventional pages & labels Not linking lists Using images instead of text Logo doesn’t link home

Not labeling PDF links

Not using conventional pages & labels

Not linking lists

Using images instead of text

Logo doesn’t link home

Problems with Images

Problems with Images

Textured/tiled backgrounds

WHAT are they really advertising?

Just say “no”

Logo overload

Ditch blue borders

Does each graphic earn its keep?

Know what graphics mean

Learn to pick and choose

Make sure your graphics are OPTIMIZED

OPTIMIZED

Other Problems

Other Problems

Move the mission… … But remember the mission.

Stop counting publicly

Titles matter

Browser shouldn’t matter

Don’t limit your visitors

Web sites are not movies

Address/phone…?

Other “other” issues Flash and/or music FAQs that really aren’t Not telling users why to perform a task

Flash and/or music

FAQs that really aren’t

Not telling users why to perform a task

Another 2-Minute Offense (or two)