Web Advisory Group
Ideas for Library Web Site: Brainstorming Results
The following ideas are from the brainstorming session for library staff held on May 10. Feel free to contribute more ideas --
- If you are an MIT Libraries Staff member: go to the Web Content Ideas discussion on the staff web.
- If you are any other user of our web site: win a $50 gift certificate by contributing your ideas.
New Content
(ideas for content or features we haven't offered in the past)
- online exhibits using archival or other material
- a page for MIT Administration (aimed at them)
- a presence for Collection Services on the public web (currently at http://libstaff.mit.edu/colserv/)
- monthly email updates on new databases
- A-Z index of entire site
- centralized link for making appointments with librarians
- top level link to all web forms
- centrally organized and standardized lists of new titles
- a place to highlight new journals
- a series of questions to help in database selection
- a movie of a successful database search
- audio, especially for instruction pages
- different types of multimedia
- more photos on library pages
- more graphics and visual interest
- an easy way to communicate with users (e.g., that a database is down)
- provide style guides, perhaps for specific subjects
- a listing of instruction sessions
- a path to navigate our web for specific user groups
- javascript "roll-overs" to provide more info about links (see Univ. of Toronto's library web page for an example of this, move mouse over "resources, news, etc.)
- a list of recommended web graphic designers used by various libraries (on the staff web)
- guidelines for updating pages, including frequency
- teasers or news updates to keep pages active
- put library newsletter online
- a search box on every page
- a site map
- floor plans for each library
- alternate home pages in other languages
- separate list of subject selectors (not through subjects page)
- consider "My Library" at NCSU - customization by subject
- more instructional material on search engines
- access for offsite MIT users
- indication of which photocopiers are working (!)
Revised Content
(suggested changes to current content)
- improved interlibrary borrowing form linked to FirstSearch databases
- reply or comment boxes on more pages
- better FAQ pages
- better policy section, maybe rename policies page
- improved hours page
- within WebBarton, logo should be the logout
Structural Changes
(suggestions for changes in structure or architecture of the site)
- web design should not privilege location over function
- clarification of resources vs. services
- clearer indication of what is available only to MIT users
- subject list of ejournals and databases easily accessible from top page
- integrate free stuff with paid subscriptions and databases
- create links from subject pages to relevant libraries
- make news in general more prominent and more organized
- maintain some department level presence at a lower level
- ask Suzana Lisanti to highlight library news on MIT web
- reduce number of clicks needed to navigate
- get rid of top level page organized by library
- go for basic simple top level page like MIT's
- enhance ability to access material by subject
Other Ideas
- taylor FirstSearch options more to MIT
- eliminate library jargon
- automated link-checking
- more/better access for disabled users
- provide an easier way to create new book lists (database?)
- a way to automatically date things so they disappear after 6 months
- better statistics on web page usage
- accommodate interdisciplinarity
- make sure new pages load quickly
- copyright for photos
- info about MIT photos
- ability to insert intermediate pop-up page or screen
- a tools that redirects urls
- providing MIT information should be a priority
- funds for things like graphic design
- don't use plug-ins, or provide link to plug-in download if used
- note pages that can't be accessed through Internet Explorer
- keep pages Lynx-friendly
- offer text-only site