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Internet Librarian 2005. Web Trends & Innovations. John Blyberg, Ann Arbor (MI) District Library Sarah Houghton, Marin County (CA) Free Library David King, Kansas City (MO) Public Library Glenn Peterson, Hennepin (MN) County Library. Large Public Library Websites.
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Internet Librarian 2005 Web Trends & Innovations John Blyberg, Ann Arbor (MI) District Library Sarah Houghton, Marin County (CA) Free Library David King, Kansas City (MO) Public Library Glenn Peterson, Hennepin (MN) County Library
Large Public Library Websites • Libraries with awesome websites: • What are they doing? • What’s their focus?
Phoenix Public Library’s Focus • Welcoming customers • Content and events • Attractive design • Subject guides • Redesigned September 2003
Seattle Public Library’s Focus • Interacting – Using the library, searching the catalog, locating a library, browsing, downloading • Introducing customers to library services – library collection, databases, events, locations • Redesigned February 2004
New York Public Library’s Focus • Finding things: • Finding content (catalog, databases, local history) • Finding locations • Discovering library services • Major Events • Redesigned May 2004
Generalizations • Main Focus: • Content • Customers • Communication • Redesigning with Web Standards
How Do They Do That? It’s all about leverage • Web Application Software (PHP, ASP, ColdFusion, perl, etc.) • Rapid Development Environment (Dreamweaver, Homesite, etc.) • Reference staff for content (Web-based tools for staff) • Learn more about XML (underlies RSS & more)
SubjectGuides • Starting points for finding information in specific topic areas • Bring together in one place all library resources on a topic
Subject Guides • What’s Included? • Databases • Selected Websites • Links into Library Catalog • Classes/Events • RSS Feeds • Subject-specific Blog
Small Library Power • I’m at a small library with • No staff • No money • No time • No coders • What can I possibly do ???
Simple Blogging & RSS • Create a weblog for your library • It’s free • Add RSS feeds (also free) • No tech skills required • You don’t even have to call it a blog • Waterboro, University High Library, Homer Township, Marin County
Linked Lists • Hyperlinked reading/viewing/listening lists • You have these laying around—put ‘em online! • HTML or a hyperlinked PDF • Quick Searches • Links that lead to prefab catalog searches • All the DVDs, new books, large type • San Francisco • San Rafael
Simple Online Forms • Printable PDFs • Card application • Obituary request • Simple HTML forms • E-mail reference request • Patron comments
Lightweight Virtual Reference • Instant Messaging • Your users are here already—where are you? • Free or cheap • Aggregate multiple accounts through Trillian or Gaim • Jybe • One-click connection (uses downloadable toolbar) • Free or cheap • Incorporates co-browsing • SMS • Cell phones in the library?
Ann Arbor District Library • AADL.ORG’s open source tools • L.A.M.P. • Linux • Apache • MySQL • PHP • Drupal CMS
Ann Arbor District Library • Linux • Debian “Sarge” • 2.6.x kernel • Stable platform • Easy to manage • No associated license fees
Ann Arbor District Library • Apache • Fast • Stable • Flexible configuration • Modular • Ubiquitous • Free
Ann Arbor District Library • MySQL • Fast • Stable • Scalable • Most DB-based open source projects choose MySQL instead of PostgreSQL. • Most of our pre-existing databases were in MYSQL • Free
Ann Arbor District Library • PHP • Easy to use • Large support base • Native support for XML • Many built-in functions • Stable • Fun • Much of our existing code is PHP • Free
Ann Arbor District Library • Drupal • Open-source • Written in PHP • 100% Modular • API-centric • Fast • Very active project • Good support base • Well Documented • Approach to CMS/Blogging fell within our needs • Oh, yes. It’s free.
Trends in Public Library Websites • Next 2-3 years • My best guesses
Redesigning • With CSS • Cincinnati, Seattle, Ann Arbor, Phoenix • Kansas City will be soon… • Who’s next?
Interaction and Content • Blogs and RSS • Contacting the library – Phone number, IM, Chat, SMS, email, etc • Mixing online, traditional, database, catalog • Video is coming – Kansas City, Bookhive, etc…
Interaction and Content • Example: Bookhive (a kid’s site): • Book reviews by staff • Customer comments • Request book • Buy book • Example: AADL • RSS and Comments everywhere • Combines information and conversation
Web Trends & InnovationsInternet Librarian 2005 John Blyberg, AADL blybergj@aadl.org Sarah Houghton, MCFL sarahfaery@hotmail.com David King, KCLS davidking@kclibrary.org Glenn Peterson gpeterson@hclib.org