Webpages, research guides from Springshare’s LibGuides, licensed content, full-text journals, subject experts, digital collections ... and books online and offline. How is a library patron to figure out what’s what in this complex environment? Using independently developed tools from various systems to build a seamless whole, the UM library rebuilt its website, bringing the information patrons want into the forefront and the byzantine path to get it in the background. Speakers share results of extensive user studies, how they iteratively designed the site, and discuss the opensource technologies (Solr, Lucene, Drupal, XML, VuFind) that make it work. Mike Creech, Karen Reiman-Sendi, and Ken Varnum of the University of Michigan Library.

1. Designing for Content-Rich SitesMike CreechKaren Reiman-SendiKen VarnumUniversity of Michigan LibraryInternet Librarian 2009

2. IntroductionBackgroundUsability Process & Design ProcessTechnologies UsedObservations & Lessons

3. Where We Started

6. Re-Architecting the SiteWeb Team charge: allow the Dean to find stuff more easily“Information, not location”Harness work with VuFind, LibGuides

7. Seeking/Setting a DirectionInformation GatheringSurveysFocus Groups Advisory Groups Drafting BlueprintsTaxonomyUser InterfaceTechnologies

8. Typical Development ProcessAnalysisMaintenance &UpdatingSpec BuildingDesign &DevelopmentPromotionCodingTesting

9. Our Development ProcessData Collection& AnalysisUI DesignMilestoneReleaseUser Testing & FeedbackContent MigrationSystemDevelopment

10. The FoundationWe  open source softwarePreference for building over buyingTrend toward customization of generic toolWe have in-house capability to customizeDrupal, VuFind, SolrBut use more than open sourceStill live in a vendor-driven environmentMetalib, EZProxy, SFX, Aleph ILS

11. Our Tool Box

12. Today’s Gateway

13. Search

19. Articles Search

21. Catalog Search

22. Browse

28. Get HelpContact a librarianFind documentation and guidesWorkshops & tutorials

29. ObservationsEjournals list, not just searchQuickLinksMy AccountBeing ‘green’: reusing & recycling code and taxonomy

30. LessonsTop-down process can workLegacy content is a two-edged swordService providers can be helpful

31. What’s Next?Respond to outcomes from usability testing and patron feedbackFuture tools and functionality -- i.e., article discoveryBuilding increasingly personalized services on top of new foundation

32. Q&A Mike CreechWeb Content Managermscreech@umich.eduKaren Reiman-SendiDigital Information Services Librariankarsendi@umich.eduKen VarnumWeb Systems Managervarnum@umich.eduSlideshttp://bit.ly/1btBWR