Abstract
Users' needs and expectations regarding access to information have fundamentally changed, creating a disconnect between how users expect to use a library Web site and how the site was designed. At the same time, library technical infrastructures include legacy systems that were not designedf or the Web environment. The authors propose a framework that combines elements of information architecture with approaches to incremental system design and implementation. The framework allows for the development of a Web site that is responsive to changing user needs, while recognizing the need for libraries to adopt a cost-effective approach to implementation and maintenance.
Highlights
Users'needsand expectationsregardingaccessto information havefundamentally changed,creatinga disconnect betweenhow users expect to use a libraryWeb site and how the site was designed.At the same time, library technical infrastructures include legacy systems that werenot designedfor the Webenvironment.Theauthors proposeaframework that combineselementsof information architecturewith approachesto incrementalsystem designand implementation.Theframeworkallowsfor the developmentof a Website that is responsiveto changing user needs, while recognizing the needfor librariesto adopt a cost-effectiveapproachto implementationand maintenance
As libraries increase the amount of content and broaden the range of services available through their Web sites, it is becoming evident that it will take more than a well-designed user interface to completely support users' information-seeking and access needs
Until all service elements have been modernized to meet the needs of the user, the conceptual design of Web sites will represent a compromise between what users require and what it is possible for users to do within the current legacy information infrastructure
Summary
Labeling required to completely structure a user's Web-site experience. IA is not synonymous with Web-site design, but rather provides the conceptual foundation upon which a presentation design is based. Most of the tools and services have been available for decades and, in response to user demand, are increasingly being made Web-accessible in digital formats (virtual reference, full-text databases) Despite this new access medium and format, the conceptual design of the underlying systems has not changed much. Another design area that is not well supported by generalized approaches to IA is the integration of previously installed systems, such as library catalogs. What is needed is a standard reference model for library services that provides a framework for access to services and content This is a long-term goal that requires cooperation and agreement among libraries, and that would allow legacy systems to be repackaged in ways that are more flexible, meet changing user needs, and can be integrated into changing technology environments. Because there are currently no such reference models, librarians need to develop other approaches to integrate existing legacy systems into a modernized Web site
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