Building Better Library Web Sites

SUMMARY

Engineering library Web sites are evolving from a static set of html pages to a dynamic database-driven architecture. OCLC's Cooperative Online Resource Catalog (CORC) may be the next step in this evolution. Several key issues in Web design for academic science and engineering Web sites (including the Rapid Evolutionary Development Model, strategies for improving access to content, filtering, zones and automating the production of electronic journal lists) are discussed. Usability testing is highly recommended. It is speculated that the future of reference on the Web may lie with those libraries or other service providers that offer proactive real-time reference using Web collaboration software.

Key Words:

• Usability testing
• user interface
• Web site design
• effectiveness
• database-driven Web sites
• Web reference
• science library Web sites
• Web portals