This document summarizes a presentation given at the Association of Christian Librarians Annual Conference about creating basic library websites using WordPress with no coding required. It outlines how WordPress allows librarians to create quality websites through ready-made themes and plugins without HTML or other coding knowledge. The presentation emphasizes keeping websites clean and uncluttered through less text and using natural language over library jargon to better communicate with patrons. Contact information is provided for the presenters from White Library at Spring Arbor University.
1. No Coding Required
Basic Library Website Development
Poster Session, Association of Christian Librarians Annual Conference
June 13, 2012
Robbie Bolton, Assistant Library Director
Karen Parsons, Reference/Information Literacy Librarian
White Library, Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI
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2. Abstract
For many small to mid-size libraries, having a
“web person” or the IT support to create a well-
designed and functional library website is a
luxury. Using web 2.0 tools, namely Wordpress
blogging software, librarians can create a quality
library website, with little if any knowledge of
programming code. If a librarian can upload
posts and photos to Facebook, they can create a
Wordpress site – no coding required.
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3. Why Wordpress?
• Easy to use
• Affordable (i.e., free or mostly free)
• Pre-designed “themes”
• Multiple users can manage content
• Ready-made “Plug-ins” can be added to your
site
• Knowledge of HTML or another coding
language is not a necessity.
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4. (1) Add a title to your
post (3) Add links or insert photo
(2) Add your content
(4) Publish your post
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6. Libraries and Web Design
• Often library websites are guilty
of including too much
information leading to a
cluttered look
• Cluttered design hides quality
information
• Less is more. Open space is your
friend. Just because you have
space doesn’t mean you have to
use it.
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7. Words have Consequences
• Design matters, but so does vocabulary
• Librarian jargon often doesn’t communicate
effectively with our patrons
• Words like:
database, catalog, periodical, index, abstract, hav
e little or no meaning for our users.
• Use natural, or plain, language on your library
website. “Find Books” or “Finding the books”
• DO: use words “such as Book or Article, that
correspond to the end product the user is
seeking”
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8. Our attempt at employing a simple, clean design using as much “natural language” as we
are comfortable with. We really can’t take credit for the design as it is just a Wordpress
theme we selected.
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9. Bibliography
Goldberg, Beverly. 2011. “WordPress as a Library CMS.” accessed June 8, 2012,
http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/columns/dispatches-field/wordpress-library-cms.
Jones, Kyle M. L., and Polly-Alida Farrington. 2011. Using WordPress as a Library Content Management
System. ALA TechSource.
Jones, Kyle M., and Polly-Alida Farrington. 2012. Learning from Libraries That Use Wordpress: Content-
management System Best Practices and Case Studies. American Library Association.
Kupersmith, John. 2012. Library Terms That Users Understand. UC Berkeley: UC Berkeley Library,
accessed June 8, 2012, http://escholarship.org/uc/item/3qq499w7
Krug, Steve. 2005. Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition.
2nd ed. New Riders Press.
McKay, Dana. 2011. “This is not a test: user-oriented evaluation of the digital academic library.” Paper
presented at the International Conference on Theory and Practice of Digital Libraries,
Berlin, Germany, September 26-28.
Wordpress & Libraries Facebook group, accessed June 8, 2012,
http://www.facebook.com/groups/214139591937761/
“WordPress.com.” WordPress. http://wordpress.com/.
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10. Questions/Contact Info
Robbie Bolton Karen Parsons
Assistant Library Director Reference/Information
White Library Literacy Librarian
Spring Arbor University White Library
robbie@arbor.edu Spring Arbor University
517 750 6434 kparsons@arbor.edu
twitter: @robbiebolton 517 750 6436
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