Writing for the Modern Web with David Lee King
- slides online here (PDF)
- the modern web is more than just words...images and videos are vip
- you have 8 seconds to capture someone's attention
- know your audience: look at your FB insights, and website analytics
- ask people what they're interested in from you on your website
- your WORDS are a PRODUCT
- titles: put keywords in titles / front-load content...aim for 5-6 words per titles (Check out BBC.com for good titles...don't be cute)
- think like a reporter:
- simplify
- remember that many people use your site on mobile devices, so short and concise is always better
- check out hemmingwayapp.com : makes your writing bold, clear and readable -- very cool
- say NO to weird formats (like Word, Excel and even PDFs)...can be issues with mobile (TODO: check WW1 stuff / chat with Jesse about this)...if you do use PDF warn people before they click so they are aware WHY if it doesn't work
- use conversational writing...type like you talk: write, then read outloud...to check
- speak TO users, not about them
- use keywords and hashtags
- re-use content: website / Facebook / twitter / print newsletter
Where to start:
- content audit (google it)
- look at analytics / re-write / re-structure if nesc
- I did this in Jan...but good to re-do periodically
Learning From IT Mistakes! with:
Matthew Hamilton, IT Manager, Denver Public LibraryKevin Smith, Senior Library Manager for Technology, Wake County Public LibrariesErica Reynolds, Former IT Manager, Current Director of Library Partnership Development, BiblioCommons Inc.- *communication* is key
- IT needs to be at ALL tables
- Erica: "If you don't know how to make small talk, have a kid!"
- Kevin's library has a "Policy and Documentation Manager"! Have emailed for a copy of the job description....overall coordinator / overseer and documenter...sees big picture...ensures everything is in sync
- IT is a public service
Creating a New Nostalgia
Digital life is transforming the public’s expectations of libraries and archives. Is the internet making these institutions irrelevant? The “perfect storm” of reduced budgets, unprecedented increases in the amount and cost of information available, and the multiplicity of platforms at play call for new strategies for the future of libraries and archives. A lively glimpse into the crystal ball!
Presenters David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States (aotus)
John Palfrey, Head of School, Phillips Academy
- check out AOTUS blog
- biblioTECH book by John Palfrey: why we still need libs + more than ever...audience is non-librarians
- re digital divide: more significant now is the "digital literacy" divide...peeps have the technology but not the skills / knowledge to navigate / manage etc.
- information architects are as important as traditional architects
- we need a magical physical space that combines physical and virtual
- libraries should inform, engage and delight
- the National Archives were created so Americans can learn from the past / hold their government accountable
Make your Website UX Rock: David Lee King
Construction:
- build your digital branch
- mobile is a requirement: we are on the right track! :)
- a responsive website is greater than an app as it makes for a better UX on all devices
- apps are better for a single use / game / thing
- measure: look at sims analytics re mobile use / time on site / connect measurement to lib's goals
- read "Don't make me think!" by Steve Krug...make it easy
Content:
- (see "Writing for the Modern Web" above)
- talk about the BENEFITS of things, not the FEATURES of things...why should I care? What am I supposed to do here?
- kill the clutter
- make it easy to share
Customers:
- consider creating personas for your target audience...can start with strat plan...if you make it easy for targeted groups, will be easier for all
- know your users...most visitors are repeat...don't have to explain everything
- user feedback: what's clunky? what's missing?
- Make it rock!
Mobile 23 Things
Jan Holmquist, Assistant Library Director, Guldborgsund Public Library
This session explores the potential of mobile tools for delivering library services. It uses the 23 things framework for structuring a learning experience for library staff and customers or members. Learn how to create your own community learning experience, delve into the mobile library world, share experiences with your colleagues and be energized to try new learning methods in your community.
- grandchild of 23 Things
- libs all over the world have the same challenges, but due to cultural differences etc we all have different solutions...Global Librarianship rocks b/c of this
- unlearn...hack...learn...repeat
- mobile: allows for location awareness
- provided all staff with iPad minis for the proejct
- check out 23mobilethings.net
- janholmquist.net
- working on "for the peeps" concept...like iHelp...bring your own device so assume basic level of tech literacy
- TODO: chat with Jesse re working HistoryPIN in to WW1 project to engage mobile users...great place for the pix / local stories
Social Media & Community Engagement
Moderator: Alexandra Radocchia Zealand, Web Editor, New Media Developer and Video Producer, Web Team, Arlington Public Library PLA, VLA, ALA, LLAMA
Joyce V. Garczynski, Communications & Development Librarian, Towson University
Rudy Leon, Outreach & Instruction Librarian, University of Nevada, Reno
Amy Wainwright, Outreach and Student Engagement Librarian, John Carroll University
Katy Kelly, Communications and Outreach Librarian/Assistant Professor, University of Dayton
Kevin Smith, Senior Library Manager for Technology, Wake County Public Libraries
Lisa Waite Bunker, Social Media Librarian, Pima County Public Library
Victoria DaFreese, M.L.S. student & Office of Information Technology, University of Tennessee
Brian Pichman, Director of Strategic Innovation, Evolve Project
A strong online community can help strengthen a library’s in-person community and contribute to community resilience in times of stress. But how do you develop this? The answer is as varied as there are kinds of libraries. This panel of experienced social media folks, from a variety of academic and public libraries, shares how they develop, run, and troubleshoot their libraries’ online communities.
- thoughts about how social media fits with the "Community Led" model
- give your peeps a chance to learn the value of your library
- build community
- delight your users
- reach online-only users
- tell smaller stories than traditional "marketing" does not do
- gateway to the library
- continue the conversation with #cilsm
- make relevant comments as your library on related/local/significant community sites
- make friends / connections with other big local sites
Diy library metrics
Ian Reid, Counting OpinionsKimberly Silk, Canadian Research Knowledge Network
- Long term data collection to develop a long term view
- Stories need to b supported by good data, and vice versa
- Stakeholders are different -- some need stories and some need data
- "Getting started w evaluation" book
- Strategic plan "compass" slide
- Evidence based management: base decisions on best available evidence
- Tpl economic impact study very unique due to political situation. Had some data over time but lots of sporadic stuff. And inconsistent over 100 branches. Wanted system wide data.
- Start with what story you want to tell. Then back it up with data.
- Measurement model slide w eggs
- Kim challenges all public libs to do an economic impact study. Sure we r all lean, mean machines.
Technology & Libraries: Now & Into the Future
Mary Augusta Thomas, Deputy Director, Smithsonian Libraries
As part of the Smithsonian libraries for more than 30 years, Thomas currently directs the operation of twenty libraries located in each of the Smithsonian’s museums and research institutes. In this talk, she reflects on the changes over those years and shares some of the future strategies for libraries.
Technology and libs: now and into the future
20 libs within smithsonian, she oversees them all
Mary Augusta Thomas
20 libs within smithsonian, she oversees them all
Mary Augusta Thomas
- Strategic planning and history go together
- Smithsonian has huge history and still does what it has always done, but also always changing
- Why do we have so much stuff? Need to collect, catalogue, preserve in order to identify new species / ideas / things.
- History is essential....social relevance, etc
- You need to have the history of ur institution in your grasp...need to understand it
- What works now, what worked in the past, and what will work in the future
- Digital curation
- Helping scholars network, preserve, research
- Creating profiles of researchers
- Do a lot of curiosity driven research, lots of overlap, need to understand themselves
- Have a lot of stuff, including in notebooks, paper files etc
- "The mission of libraries will not change, the mission statement and the way libraries accomplish their mission will change. "
- Were "embedded librarians" before that was a thing
- Future librarians will have highly developed skills to collaborate and cooperate
- ...worked fine when u knew your users...need to learn how to tap into uses u don't know (eg online only)
- Knowledge of the community and its history is key
- Library print collections are moving from books on shelves to special collections
- The act of discovery is not tied to local collections, so what do we do with them?
- Still need to ask basic reference questions
- Librarians need to listen
- Library as place will change
- Awesome whale bones on the new mountain road to telescope site story
Keys to Success With Assessment & Evaluation
Frank Cervone, Director of Information Technology and CISO, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago Lecturer, School of Information, San Jose State University
Libraries and information agencies are under increasing pressure to demonstrate value. The key to demonstrating actual value is good data on services and programs. Cervone reviews the key considerations in an effective assessment and evaluation program and provides ideas and tools for your own assessment and evaluation efforts.
- Teaches at San Jose state uni on this topic
- Link to his slides
- U need to work w the politics
- Lib staff need to know data analysis / methods
- Don't just toss up a survey...need to understand results
- Build a culture of assessment by doing it
- Research quality slide
- Evidence based librarianship: scientific principles
- Hierarchy of evidence (pyramid slide)
- Systems thinking: look at the big picture
- Think about why a problem exists
- How to get useful feedback?
- What should b evaluated and assessed?
- ....what difference are u making
- ...what are you doing for people
- Questionnaires
- Need to select a sample of your population...that is representative of your population
- Idea: for next survey, use patron database to select relevant peeps, who have an email addy / random sample? Use mail chimp? Start w list, then take every nth person
- Can combine survey w questionnaire
- Pre-test your survey
- "The voice of the customer" concept from marketing
- See slide "understanding your customers"
- Look into San Jose state uni frank's course on this topic
