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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b
style="">OPLIN 4Cast #144:<br>
4 ways to create a good user experience<br>
</b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">September 16, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="grame"><i><span
style="font-size: 12pt;">4casting technologies that could have an
impact on
public libraries.<br>
<a href="mailto:galvinbo@oplin.org">Tell us what you
think of the new format!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></a></span></i></span></h1>
<p>What makes a good library website? The OPLIN staff had a chance to
think of the options as we recently created the <a
href="http://oplin.org/annual2009" target="_blank"
mce_href="http://oplin.org/annual2009">OPLIN Annual Report to
Stakeholders</a>.
Is it simply about the usability, or is it about the experience users
have when
they are there? We knew it wasn't about the layout, color scheme or
the
Drupal software. It's about creating a website <i>we</i> would want
to
visit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Here are some ways to make your library website THE place to be.<o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="">What is a "<a
href="http://acrlog.org/2009/08/25/the-real-time-library/"
target="_blank"
mce_href="http://acrlog.org/2009/08/25/the-real-time-library/">real-time
library</a>?" Does that mean re-creating the in-person library
experience? Does it mean the website is interactive? Does it have to
do with how web social the library is? All of the above! <o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="">In the article "<a
href="http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/10-things-to-think-about-when-designing-digital-david-lee-king"
target="_blank"
mce_href="http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/10-things-to-think-about-when-designing-digital-david-lee-king">Ten
Things to Think about when Designing Digital Experiences</a>," David
Lee King explains that a digital library presence should allow patrons
to connect with people, not just the hardware and software.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="">How many e-mails leave your library
each day? From overdue notices to newsletters, patrons receive
correspondence from you on a regular basis. Here is one experience we
may want to emulate: the PERSONAL response. Posted by HeleneB, here is
"<a
href="http://www.librarybytes.com/2009/02/little-lesson-from-pandora.html"
target="_blank"
mce_href="http://www.librarybytes.com/2009/02/little-lesson-from-pandora.html">A
little lesson from Pandora</a>."<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="">Your website statistics will show you
what your patrons want. View them and pay attention to them. In this
article, "<a
href="http://labs.nypl.org/2009/04/10/stat-of-the-week-no-5-the-most-popular-search-term-at-the-library-is/"
target="_blank"
mce_href="http://labs.nypl.org/2009/04/10/stat-of-the-week-no-5-the-most-popular-search-term-at-the-library-is/">The
Most Popular Search Term at the Library is…</a>" the NY Public Library
discovered exactly what their customers were looking for and most
certainly made changes that the customers appreciated.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<p>If the goal is to stimulate learning and creativity, should it be
limited to
inside your walls? Give 'em what they want -- <i>a good experience</i>
--
in person and online.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p>The <em><b>OPLIN 4cast</b></em> is a weekly compilation of
recent headlines, topics, and trends that could impact public
libraries. You can subscribe to it in a variety of ways, such as:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style=""><strong>RSS feed</strong>. You
can receive the <em>OPLIN 4cast</em> via RSS feed by subscribing to
the following URL: <a
href="http://www.oplin.org/4cast/index.php/?feed=rss2" target="_blank">http://www.oplin.org/4cast/index.php/?feed=rss2</a>.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style=""><strong>Live Bookmark</strong>.
If you're using the <a href="http://www.mozilla.com/" target="_blank">Firefox</a>
web browser, you can go to the <em>4cast</em> website (<a
href="http://www.oplin.org/4cast/" target="_blank">http://www.oplin.org/4cast/</a>)
and click on the orange "radio wave" icon on the right side of the
address bar. In <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/"
target="_blank">Internet Explorer</a>, click on the same icon to view
or subscribe to the <em>4cast</em> RSS feed. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style=""><strong>E-mail</strong>. You can
have the <em>OPLIN 4cast</em> delivered via e-mail (a'la OPLINlist and
OPLINtech) by subscribing to the <em>4cast</em> mailing list at <a
href="http://mail.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/OPLIN4cast"
target="_blank">http://mail.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/OPLIN4cast</a>.</li>
</ul>
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<pre>--
Bobbi Galvin
OPLIN Customer Relations & Support
P: 1-888-966-7546
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.oplin.org">www.oplin.org</a></pre>
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