Marylaine Block explains what she expects to find on library websites.

Ex Libris–an E-Zine for Librarians and Information Junkies — issue 259

In the process of researching my next book, I’ve been exploring library web sites, from the standpoint not of a librarian, but of a reasonably sophisticated user searching for specific kinds of information about those libraries. And though I’ve come across some really wonderful sites that show off alll their libraries have to offer, I have to say I’ve been pretty disappointed by quite a few of the others.

She has several great suggestions but I do have a couple of comments.

1. Things that move or change randomly on a webpage are annoying, particularly when you’re trying to actually find something specific and your eyes keep getting distracted.
2. Tell us what we can do online, but also tell us “who” can do it. Every library has online services (databases, newspapers, etc.) that only registered users can access. Let me know up front what it takes to get in before I waste time trying to use something I can’t or ignore something I can.