Wednesday 25 February 2009

The Library Web Site of the Future

http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2009/02/17/bell
This makes interesting reading with regard to the value (particularly as perceived by students) of library websites as portals to get valuable information.

Perhaps we need to turn it on it's head:
"pioneering libraries distribute the content across the institution’s network and beyond. They are putting the links where faculty and students can find them easily. It changes the library website paradigm from “you must visit our portal” to “we’ll be where you are.”"

so with regard to marketing the science portal - perhaps we should change our thinking a little....

2 comments:

Keren Mills said...

We're thinking along the same lines at the Open University - put the library where people are, rather than expecting them to come to us.

One problem we haven't cracked yet is branding. Do people need to be aware they're using the library in order for us to justify our value to the institution?

John said...

I think this is a very thoughtful post. I'd like us to take it as one of the discussion points when the Portal group meets next week.