Public Library Website Guidelines
Websites are the electronic front door to your library; as such they deserve the same planning and care that your library receives. Websites are a form of marketing and a way of reaching otherwise unserved customers. A library website can be a vital information resource for your community; capitalize on the opportunity. Bear in mind that a web page is not a website. Displaying the depth of information and resources available at the library requires more than a single page.
The Office of Library and Information Services Local Library Development Team and Web Publishing Team have developed the following basic guidelines for the content and design of public library websites. These guidelines are designed to support libraries in designing are great website. These refer directly to information and resources that should be available through a library’s website.
Library Home Page
Essential Information
- Library name, location and phone
- Library hours
- Link to branch information
- Link to catalog
- Links to services, programs, calendar, and about the library
- Link to site map
Additional Information
- News and events
- Link to “support the library”, Friends group, or a way to get involved as a library supporter
About the Library
Essential Information
- Contact information: name, address, phone number, fax number of the library
- Branch locations (if any) and contact information for the branches
- Library hours
- Key personnel and contact numbers and/or e-mail addresses
- Directions to the library
- Board of Trustees members
- Board of Trustees meeting dates/agenda
- Friends group officers, activities, and membership application
- Library mission statement
- Library policies (especially for library cards, loan periods, use of the meeting room, computer use, unattended children)
- Contact Us link and/or virtual suggestion box
Additional Information
- Annual report
- Long-range plan
- History of the library
- Library newsletter (if any)
- Trustee by-laws
- Trustee meeting minutes
- Volunteer information
- Images of the library
Programs and Services
Essential Information
- Children’s services
- YA/Teen services
- Literacy services and programs
- Disability services
- Classes/workshops (if offered)
- Museum and park passes
- Calendar of events
Additional Information
- New books listing
- Staff recommendations listing
- Parents section
- Teachers section
- Seniors section
Reference and Research Information
Essential Information
- Link to library catalog
- Link to OSL home page
- Electronic resources
- Reference links
- Virtual reference services (email/IM)
- Special collections
Additional Information
- Search engines and directories
- Local history page
- Genealogy page
- Connections to other libraries
- Statewide Reference Resource Center
- Instant Answers
- Ask a Librarian
Design Guidelines
- Design by the 10 second rule: a visitor should be able to find a link to your catalog, your locations, your programs, your resources, or your key personnel in less than 10 seconds from any page on your site
- Include the library name on every page (the name should be prominently displayed as a header and included in the <title> tag on the page)
- Include library address, phone, and “contact us” link on every page (possibly as footer if not in header)
- Provide clear and consistent navigation throughout the site; include a link to the library homepage on every page
- Include a site map, and provide a link to it on every page
- Avoid library jargon, e.g., provide a link to the library catalog
- Make sure pages load quickly — limit the use of images and text graphics; compress file sizes for all images
- Avoid flashing objects and multi-colored text that distract a visitor’s attention
- Avoid pages longer than 2 screens; users will not scroll down to find information
- Make sure the page is accessible to users with disabilities
- Libraries meet ADA requirements; websites should have a comparable level of accessibility as specified in the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and Federal Section 508 Standards for Electronic and Information Technology
- Check your pages in multiple browsers to be sure they render correctly, e.g., Internet Explorer, Netscape (Mozilla), Firefox, Opera, even on a Mac (Safari)
- Librarians are experts at organizing information; library websites should reflect this!
