Public libraries could greatly benefit from effective web design. Often an afterthought, library websites tend to be difficult to navigate. They often appear to be a half-hearted attempt to step in to the 21st century, yet communities that use libraries would likely reap great rewards from well-designed sites.
Libraries, like many other government-funded entities, struggle to maintain funding. A high-functioning website would allow more functions to be performed online, including renewals, searches and registration for various activities. This would lessen the workload for employees, allowing the branches to save personnel hours.
A library website
In addition, interactive sites would allow for greater interaction of younger readers. Youth are increasingly comfortable with, and dependent upon, computers. A library would do well to take this in to account in its efforts to remain a vital, important part of a city’s culture.
In order to be effective, a library web site must be easy to use by a wide variety of age groups, from senior citizens to young children. It should offer the same information that can be found via in-branch search computers, including inventory availability. In addition, the site should further community interest and reliance upon the library as a central source of information.
