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Public Library Website Guidelines
Your website is the electronic front door to your library; as such it deserves the same planning and care that the physical library receives. Websites are an important form of marketing in today's world and provide a way for you to serve your customers even when your doors are not open and allow you to reach otherwise unserved customers. A library website can be a vital information resource for your community; capitalize on the opportunity.
The Winnefox Library System has developed the following basic guidelines for the content and design of public library websites.
Library Home Page
| Essential Information | Suggested Information |
| Library name, location and phone | News, calendar, and programs |
| Library hours | Link to "support the library", Friends group, or a way to get involved as a library supporter. |
| Link to catalog | |
| Links to services, programs, calendar, and about the library | |
| Link to site map |
About the Library
| Essential Information | Suggested Information |
| Contact information: name, address, phone number, fax number of the library | Annual report |
| Library hours | History of the library |
| Key personnel and contact numbers and/or e-mail addresses | Library newsletter (if any) |
| Directions to the library | Trustee by-laws |
| Board of Trustees members | Trustee meeting minutes |
| Friends group officers, activities, and membership application | Board of Trustees meeting dates/agenda |
| Library policies (especially for library cards, loan periods, use of the meeting room, computer use, unattended children) | Images of the library |
| Contact Us link and/or virtual suggestion box | Volunteer information |
Programs and Services
| Essential Information | Suggested Information |
| Children's services | New books listing |
| YA/Teen services | Staff recommendations listing |
| Literacy services and programs | Parents section |
| Calendar of events | Teachers section |
| Classes/workshops (if offered) | Seniors section |
| Literacy services and programs |
Reference and Research Information
| Essential Information | Suggested Information |
| Link to library catalog | Search engines and directories |
| Link to Winnefox home page | Local history page |
| Electronic resources | Genealogy page |
| AskAway | Reference links |
| Community links: (City/Town government website) |
Design Guidelines
- Design by the 10 second rule: a visitor should be able to find a link to your catalog, your hours, your programs, your resources, or contact information in less than 10 seconds from any page on your site
- Include the library name on every page (the name should be prominently displayed as a header and included in the <title> tag on the page)
- Include library address, phone, and "contact us" link on every page (possibly as footer if not in header)
- Provide clear and consistent navigation throughout the site; include a link to the library homepage on every page
- Include a site map, and provide a link to it on every page
- Avoid library jargon, e.g., provide a link to the library catalog, not to the OPAC
- Make sure pages load quickly -- limit the use of images and text graphics; compress file sizes for all images
- Avoid flashing objects and multi-colored text that distract a visitor's attention
- Avoid pages longer than 2 screens; users will not scroll down to find information
- Make sure the page is accessible to users with disabilities
- Libraries meet ADA requirements; websites should have a comparable level of accessibility
- Check your pages in multiple browsers to be sure they render correctly, e.g., Internet Explorer, Netscape (Mozilla), Firefox, Opera, and on a Mac (Safari)
- Librarians are experts at organizing information; library websites should reflect this!