Bringing Patrons in and Giving Them Somewhere to Go - Designing an Effective Library Website

It is no secret that, for information seekers, the hegemony of libraries as “the place to go,” both physically and virtually, is being challenged. As Google and other search engines increasingly compete with libraries as a means for patrons to find information in an online environment, it is essential that libraries maintain effective web presences of their own. A redesign of the Joyner Library at East Carolina University website has led not only to an increase in website traffic but, more crucially, to an increase in use of library services, including the library’s equipment loan program and Serial Solution’s Summon discovery service. A combination of better web design principles and improved information architecture has served to attract more patrons to the library website while also making it easier for patrons to navigate to the content most suited to their needs. An effective web presence is one piece of the puzzle in ensuring that libraries continue to remain relevant and one that can, in many ways, be more easily and cost-effectively implemented. This poster session will highlight the changes made to the Joyner Library website’s design and architecture, the results of these alterations and goals for future development