Library websites have the opportunity to provide an exceptional community experience as well as access to virtually unlimited proprietary content.
Key Features of a 21st Century Library Website
Library websites have the opportunity to provide an exceptional community experience as well as access to virtually unlimited proprietary content. And since a library is often a prominent civic building, the website needs to complement the extensive services that are provided. This combined with a library’s historic role of fostering civic discourse, provides an extraordinary opportunity to create powerful, comprehensive websites.
Here are some features we believe are important, gathered from our experience creating library websites over the past few years.
USER INTERFACE DESIGN
A visually compelling design, often with full-screen imagery
Large visual mega menu dropdowns
Book and media carousels showing book covers or other content
Interactive floor plans
Section 508 compliance, providing access to disabled users
Print-friendly templates with re-sizable text
Extensive photo and video galleries
Other features such as a leaving site graphic and a favicon
CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Drupal, an open-source, best-in-class content management system (CMS) used by hundreds of small and large libraries, or WordPress for a flexible, ease-of-use system with a vast ecosystem of plugins to support various needs.
A responsive web design (RWD) for optimal display on mobile devices
Onsite and catalog search, including OPAC (online public access catalog) integration
Multiple calendars for adults, young adults, children, community, and other groups
Customizable rules based on room reservation system, with extensive features such as: stud and room reservations, permissions, private bookings, automated approval emails and more
Custom content types for better management of various kinds of content, such as events, jobs, and more.
Content Expiration
AV help notification for people who need help with audio-visual equipment when reserving a room
Link tester that reviews any broken or missing links
MARKETING
Social media integration includes Facebook ‘like’ counters, Twitter counters, and share buttons
Automated digital marketing, such as email sign-up forms
Extensive website analytics and dashboards
Free Google Analytics with goal setups and reports emailed monthly
Email marketing for increasing community engagement
RSS feeds
Ask a librarian feature
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices and tools, including customized meta descriptions, page titles, alt tags, and more
Content marketing
CRM integration (Salesforce.com, MS Dynamics)
COMMUNITY
Member Profiles, the ability to join groups, post content, and communicate with other members
Forums and job postings
Feedback and book advice
Library card registration
Donate capability, either on-site or through 3rd parties such as Network for Good
Blog creation
Commenting and rating system
Polls and surveys
Intranets, Extranets, private secure areas
Do you ❤️ your library website?
Give our interactive 10 point checklist a try. See how your library site checks out!
