MINERVA – MINERVA PLUS Quality of Cultural Websites - How to ensure and evaluate Monika Hagedorn-SaupeBerlin, 07 April 2005 Ministerial NEtwoRk for Valorising Activising in digitisation

The Working Groups Inventories, discovery of digitised content, multilingual issues –Multilingualism and thesaurus Interoperability and Service Provision –Business Models Identification of user needs, content and quality framework for common access points –Small cultural institutions Identification of good practices and competence centres –Cost reduction

Publications Handbook for quality in cultural Web sites – Improving quality for citizens Quality principles for Cultural Websites: a Handbook

Product No. 1: Handbook for quality in cultural Web sites Improving quality for citizens Version Draft edited by the Minerva Working Group 5 Identification of user needs, contents and quality criteria for Cultural Web Applications 6th November, 2003

Handbook for quality in cultural Web sites Improving quality for citizens Conceive quality as the result of interaction between cultural entities and users 1.3 Policies and strategy: some recommendations Portals and cultural networks Recognisability and visibility of the quality- evaluation Co-ordination of internal and external information flow Cross-over between various channels of communication Planning, development and management of a Cultural Web Application Respect of Copyright (IPR) and privacy in contents Long-term preservation of Web contents Introduction 1 Definitions, fundamentals and basic recommendations 1.1 Definitions Cultural Entity Identity Categories Goals Cultural Web Application Goals Users User needs 1.2 Fundamentals Promote a widespread diffusion of culture Exploit the effectiveness of new means of communication Adopt an intelligent use of the Web

Handbook for quality in cultural Web sites Improving quality for citizens 2.4 Criteria of Usability for Cultural Web Applications (CWA) Make contents perceivable Recognise that the site is a Cultural Web Application Recognise the aims of the site Gain a general impression of the site before proceeding to a detailed visit Be able to exploit quality contents Presentation of Contents Functional layout Functional graphic elements Functional multimedia elements Site Navigation Searching 2 Quality in Web Applications: general principles and operative proposal 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Accessibility of contents Disability How do disabled people use the Web? The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Indications of the European Union 2.3 Usability Definition and methodology Principles of Usability

Handbook for quality in cultural Web sites Improving quality for citizens Transparency on the activities of the Cultural Entity Transparency on the mission of the Cultural Web Application Efficiency in the sector networks Presentation of standards and regulations of the sector Spreading of cultural content Support of cultural tourism Offer of educational services Offer of services of scientific research Offer of services to specialists in the sector Offer of services of reservation and acquisition of goods Promotion of Web communities in the sector 2.5 Patterns and the language of Patterns Definitions The Catalogue of Patterns How to consult Patterns An example of the use of the Catalogue of Patterns 3 Minerva quality framework for Cultural Web Applications 3.1 Considerations 3.2 Goals of the Cultural Web Application: definitions Presentation of the identity of the Cultural Entity

Handbook for quality in cultural Web sites Improving quality for citizens Appendix 1. Cross References with other Minerva Working Groups Appendix 2. Catalogue of Patterns Appendix 3. How to use the Handbook? Tables of examples Example # 1 - Planning the Website of an Archive Example # 2 - Planning the Website of a Library Example # 3 - Planning the Website of a Museum 3.3 Specific description of the Cultural Web Application according to Cultural Entity categories Archives Libraries Cultural heritage diffused on territory Museums Institutes for administration and safeguarding Centres for research and education Cultural projects Temporary exhibitions

Handbook for quality in cultural Web sites Improving quality for citizens Checklist of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 List of abbreviations Bibliography and references Appendix 4. Directory of national rules on Web Applications Foreword (Definition and goals, Structure and criteria, Methodology and sources, Critical remarks) European rules (Member States rules) o Austria o Belgium o Denmark o Finland o France o Germany o Greece o Ireland o Italy o Luxembourg o The Netherlands o Portugal o Spain o Sweden o United Kingdom International documents

Product No. 2: Quality Principles for Cultural Websites: a Handbook (2005 Minerva Project) Provides - a commentary and exploration of the 10 principles for cultural quality websites published by MINERVA (agreed at European level) - a set of criteria which can be used to assess whether a Website is compliant with the principle

Product No. 2: Quality Principles for Cultural Websites: a Handbook (2005 Minerva Project) Provides - a checklist, based on the critera, which can be used in assessing the Website - a set of practical and pragmatic tests and questions which a Website owner can use to gain further insight into the compliance of his site

The 10 Principles Cultural Quality Websites should be: transparent effective maintained accessible user-centred responsive multi-lingual interoperable managed preserved

The matrix PlanDesignSelect Content DigitiseStore & Preserve Masters Capture Meta Data ImplementPublish Online Maintain perma- nently Transparent Effective Maintained Accessible User-centred Responsive Multi-lingual Interoperable Managed Preserved Low priority, 2 Mid priority, 3 High priority

Most critical stages Website planning Website design Website implementation Online publication Maintenance of the site should not compromise on quality in the future Multi-linguality and Interoperability are very important: they must be planned into a site, and cannot be bolted on later

Multi-linguality – introduction and commentary VII Quality Principle: A quality website must be aware of the importance of multi-linguality by providing a minimum level of access in more than one language Websites are a means for the public to access online cultural heritage. Language can be an important barrier to access. The website owner should focus on providing as much as possible of the website in as many (and as popular) languages as possible. At a basic level: outline of the content and purpose of the website in at least one other official language of the EU. Multi-linguality should be planned at the earliest stage of website design.

Multi-linguality check list (excerpt) Yes/ No/ n.a. Some site content available in more than one language Some site content available in sign language Some site content available non-EU immigrant languages Site identity and profile available in more than 1 language Site core functionality available in more than 1 language Static content available in more than one language Simple switching between languages Site structure and user interface independent of language Multi-linguality policy exists & drives multi-lingual aspects Multi-linguality reviews take place on site

Multi-linguality – practical test 1.Does the site have any multi-lingual content ? 2.Does the site identity and profile material appear in more than one language ? 3.Is there any material presented in sign language ? 4.Is there any material presented in non-EU languages which are used by immigrant populations ? 5.Is the sites non-static information available in multiple languages ? 6.Is the static (cultural) information available in more than one language ? 7.Is the site structure logically separate from the language in use ? 8.Was multi-linguality planned into the site from the very start ? 9.Does the site have a stated multi-linguality policy ? 10.Is the site reviewed against such a policy ?

Key messages Quality must be planned into a website from the start The users are critical – involve them at every stage Relationships with other online resources (interoperability) and with future resources (long-term preservation) must be given due thought

For further information: Thank you