1. Building the
Digital Branch
designing effective
library websites
David Lee King
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
davidleeking.com

2. Defining the
Digital Branch

3. about the library no collection
traditional website
no staff no interaction
no meetings

4. it’s about the library...
it's not THE library

7. digital branch...
building
staff
collection
community

8. a digital branch has...
building

9. a digital branch has...
staff

10. real staff
http://flickr.com/photos/freedryk/2170438778/
http://flickr.com/photos/osuvalleylibrary/523383761/
http://flickr.com/photos/olympiclibrarian/303827560/in/
set-72157600282345979/

11. a digital branch has...
collection

12. real collection
http://flickr.com/photos/lollyknit/2154242047/
http://flickr.com/photos/chrisbrogan/2704762582/

13. a digital branch has...
community

14. real community

15. a digital branch
is the actual library,
just online

16. A Guide to
Usability

17. What is usability?

18. Creating your test: Questions
• figure out what to test
• create a question that tests that
• write specific questions

19. Test Description
• “The goal of this study is to evaluate how
people find information using our website. I
will ask 15 questions and would like you to
think out loud while looking for the answer. I
will time you, and will stop you after 3 minutes
have passed. Don’t worry if you can’t find the
answer every time–we are testing our Web
site, not you! Each answer can be found
using the library’s Web site. The test should
take no more than 20 minutes. Do you have
any questions?”

20. Volunteers

21. Administer the test
• Think of this step as the consumer
“taste test”
• Administering the test is the easiest
part of a usability study.
• read the explanation, whip out your
stopwatch, and say “go.”

22. Analyzing
the test

23. Here are some common types of
problems you’ll find:
• Wording Problems
• Design Problems
• Complete your usability test, redesign,
and then … do it all again.

24. flickr.com/photos/dunk/152121217/
Live Card
Sorting

25. handout #1

26. Q&A Time!

27. Gathering Info
& Planning

28. handout #2

29. how I
mindjet
summarize
findings

30. Q&A Time!

31. Building it!

32. handout #3

33. sitemap pic
Sitemap
here - what
to do with it

34. Creative Brief
- Purpose
- Goals
- Primary Audience
- Why viewers use section
- Tasks section accomplishes
- Content requirements
- Functionality requirements

35. mockup pic &
explanation

37. touching base
with everyone
flickr.com/photos/armgov/4618925191/

38. release date
flickr.com/photos/heartrush/376989166/

39. Q&A Time!

40. What’s Next?

41. the day after
Opening Day

42. web analytics

45. rinse,
repeat
flickr.com/photos/eszter/340295962/

46. Q&A Time!

47. Creating
Community
Online

48. flickr.com/photos/thecrazyfilmgirl/3248283617/

49. flickr.com/photos/ky_olsen/3133347219/

50. listen for ...
flickr.com/photos/carbonnyc/1359721335/

51. how to listen
flickr.com/photos/lanuiop/401252404/

54. flickr.com/photos/jliba/3496259672/
friending

55. flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/3424301792/
start
conversations

56. multimedia
flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/3424967893/

57. stuff to
remember

58. checking in
flickr.com/photos/nanpalmero/4432186135/

59. treat the
mayor!

60. respond

61. flickr.com/photos/orqwith/4325166853/
new service?
start here...

64. Planning for
Expansion

65. Q&A Time!