UW-Libraries launch new Web site
A new Web site for the UW-Madison libraries went live Aug. 2, 2006.
The new Web site design is patterned as part of the university design family. Functionality, however was the guiding principle. The designers focused on the adaptability of the site to make accessing the information possible on several levels. For example, users can view information by separating presentation from content. While the primary view has layers of behavior that compartmentalize information, users can also strip down the page design to view and print the content in a more basic layout.
Additional search and browse features that have been added make the site more user-friendly, as well. The main page displays multiple databases that make listings of resources, libraries and staff readily searchable, empowering users to tailor how they use the site.
Another new feature is the “Top 10” listing, which posts the databases most frequented by users. This responsive and interactive feature will provide users who may be less familiar with searching for information on the site a chance to see what others have found to be helpful search tools.
Ultimately, the updated Web site was designed to be user-friendly. The search functions will benefit the libraries by increasing the number of relevance ratings picked up by major search engines like Google, and the flexible design is expected to better serve all types of users and to be highly adaptable over time.
The design and implementation of the new site was a collaborative effort involving the help of many including Les Howles with a team of instructional design staff at DoIT and University Communications designers.
Several core groups of individuals worked closely with the site redesign:
Web site Steering Committee:
Acting Director of UW-Madison Libraries Ed Van Gemert; Peter Gorman, UWDCC; Susan Barribeau, Collection Development; and Deborah Helman, Wendt Library
LWS Migration Group:
Chair Sue Dentinger, LTG; Allan Barclay, Information Architecture; David Luke, College Library; Steve Meyer, LTG; and Nate Vack, Computer Services
LWS Editing Group:
Chair Susan Barribeau; Elsa Althen, Biology Library; Todd Bruns, Collection Development; Tom Durkin, Social Science Reference Library; Eliot Finkelstein, College Library; Don Johnson, Library Communications; Rebecca Payne, Memorial Library; Vicki Tobias, UWDCC; and Amanda Werhane, Wendt Library.
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