1. ‘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

2. “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

3. Agenda Our story What we have learnt The future
Share your Top Tips and experiences
Padlet

4. What do I want to take away from this session?

5. Sharing your ‘TopTips’
How have you managed relationships?
What one Top Tip would you share?
What resources would you have used?
Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence

6. 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
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7. Building process
2002
2008
2017
2018+

8. Past: where we started from…

9. An early incarnation…

10. The story so far…a menu based approach…

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

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

13. Present: where we are now…

14. 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
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15. Our current offering…

16. Centre library sites…

17. 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
Free 14 day trial!

18. Ask a Librarian
Zendesk chat - Free 14 day trial!

19. Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence
Managing connections
IT department
Marketing department
Production & media
Central library team
Centre librarians
Students
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20. Future: where we are heading

21. 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

22. Consistent centre pages

23. 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

24. 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.

25. Sneak peak…

26. 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

27. 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?
Source: FLICKR Creative Commons Licence