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The Olive Tree |
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The Olive Tree |
In keeping with the new year, Fogler Library introduced a new top level web page
to our user community the first week of January. The redesigned page had several
key goals in mind.
We wanted to introduce the concept of “quick links,” bringing some of our more
most valuable services to the top level rather than a couple level clicks away.
As real estate on the top page fills up quickly, we elected to use a tab
approach and place the quick links front and center with interactive windows.
Functioning much like tabs in a file folder system, the links lead to our
subject portals, renewals, reserves, and our indexes and databases list.
As URSUS continues to be the best option for the most comprehensive search of
Fogler Library resources, it holds a key position on the left-hand column of the
page. Again, an interactive window allows a patron to jump right in with a title
search; the most popular search option indicated in recent usage statistics. A
quick perusal of the pulldown menu leads to other popular options: keyword,
author and subject.
The aesthetics of the page are intended to build on what has been received best
in past focus group studies. Fairly simple, consistent text fonts and some quiet
space for the eye to rest have been welcomed. We balance this with visual
interest and a sense of the library as place where patrons can find information
specialists welcoming their more challenging research endeavors.
We’ve introduced a photograph of the library on the front page that we plan to
update seasonally. We shortly plan to introduce more graphics on department or
service level pages, starting with the Learning Materials Center.
On our right hand column, we lead with our “Ask a Librarian” service that gives
direct access to professional librarians with in-depth expertise on both general
reference and subject specific resources. This is followed by dynamic links to
time sensitive information under What’s New which we now offer in Really Simple
Syndication (RSS) newsfeed format.
Building on a programmed draft from Fogler Web Team member Albie Dunn who was
inspired by Bowdoin College’s approach, the page was reviewed and refined by the
rest of the Team, a representation of library staff with public service and
technical skills. We proceeded with input from other library staff and
invaluable feedback on the prototype from the Fogler Library Focus Group. The
focus group is a cross section of students, staff and faculty who have
volunteered to test new web site developments through prepared queries. There
are no right or wrong answers per se on this form of test but a red flag does go
up if a patron has to take more than 3-4 steps to get to a solution. This is
often an indicator that our web navigation features can use some tweaking.
We want to continue to be as responsive as we can to our diverse user community.
If you have a question, concern or constructive comment we want to hear from
you! Please contact
foglerweb@library.umaine.edu