‘Trial, Error and Trouble… ‘Trial, Error and Trouble…..’ trials and tribulations of everyday librarians developing a library website… Sally Peat eResources Officer Chris Walker Librarian & Visiting Lecturer

“Move fast, take risks, it's okay to try big things “Move fast, take risks, it's okay to try big things. You're better off trying something and having it not work and learning from that than having not done ...” Mark Zuckerberg

Agenda Our story What we have learnt The future Share your Top Tips and experiences Padlet http://bit.ly/2lz6KaI

What do I want to take away from this session?

Sharing your ‘TopTips’ How have you managed relationships? What one Top Tip would you share? What resources would you have used? http://bit.ly/2lz6KaI Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence

Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence Our context ‘shoestring budget’ small team done with the ‘day job’ one central online ‘hub’ eight library centre websites antiquated online library catalogue historically little formal support from IT increasing online content traditionally ‘low down’ the priority list Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence

Building process 2002 2008 2017 2018+

Past: where we started from…

An early incarnation…

The story so far…a menu based approach…

yorklibrary.wordpress.com Pitfalls with the Free approach…. snappy URL and very basic design and…

We’ve tried everything ..that is free or very cheap…

Present: where we are now…

Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence Services & resources Databases eResources Guides: Legal, Business and Library Library induction video Using Google video Self issue machine quick guide video Subject specialists Current awareness Ask a Librarian Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence

Our current offering… http://library.law.ac.uk/

Centre library sites… https://birminghamlibrary.net

Zendesk chat https://www.zopim.com Ask a Librarian “…very quick response and I received the exact guidance I required. If all else fails, ask the library. They know where to get the information” recent feedback from a member of staff. Zendesk chat https://www.zopim.com Free 14 day trial!

Ask a Librarian Zendesk chat https://www.zopim.com - Free 14 day trial!

Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence Managing connections IT department Marketing department Production & media Central library team Centre librarians Students Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence

Future: where we are heading

Website project Part of the library strategy Still no money Review centre library website Redesign the main library site with distance learning page. Micro landing page off law.ac.uk website. Still no money Building upon success Planning for 2018 and discovery tools

Consistent centre pages https://leedslibrary.net

Consistent centre pages Corporate colours Easy to maintain for all (different capability) Consistent look and feel Based on freemium WordPress Good URLs No advertisements Limited configuration

2018 and beyond Main library site using ULaw template – with IT’s blessing! Coherent website design for all centres based on corporate colours and branding Implement a new LPS Implement a totally new discovery tool Live usability testing for fine tuning.

Sneak peak… http://library.law.ac.uk/webvoyrebrandednewtemplate.html

What we have learnt Persistence: small steps make it happen Push the boat out: don’t be afraid to get your knuckles rapped. Follow Nike: Just do it.. Know the limitations: if you use free or cheap Invest time: build and manage relationships Don’t be afraid: push boundaries

Sharing your ‘Top Tips’ What are Your Top Tips How have you managed relationships? What one Top Tip would you share? What resources would have you used? http://bit.ly/2lz6KaI Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence