Issue #7

3/22/2024

Do You Have Curb Appeal?

Hello, librarians!

We all know about ‘curb appeal’ – it’s that attractive and inviting first impression of a home, making us feel good when we see it.

Your library website needs curb appeal, too! In this issue, we'll briefly discuss some design factors.

Sharon Barnes, SCKLS Technology Consultant

Perception Isn't Everything

Your home page does need to be eye-catching, but 'just pretty' won't do the job by itself.

Your website’s visual appeal should go hand in hand with well-thought-out design. If it isn’t easy to use, many potential users will just leave.

In issue #4, 9 Must-Haves on Your Library Website, we looked at types of information users expect, so now let's explore a few ways to enhance your website's appearance.

Branding

Logo and/or brand colors: Create a pleasing palette – based on your logo if you have one – that includes both light and dark colors for good contrast.

Repeat those colors throughout the site for a sense of continuity that resonates even when your library name or logo isn’t front and center.

Header: Sometimes called a ‘hero’ section, many sites have a large header. This can be an image or graphic with the library name, or just the library name and logo in an attractive and easily readable font.

Choose carefully – this top section will set the tone for your whole site.

Getting Around

Clear navigation: While basic library services are generally acknowledged, few people grasp the wide range of services you provide!

Your main menu needs to be organized to help users discover things that perhaps they didn’t know they were looking for. Your menu bar is their wayfinder.

Don't forget that additional navigation can also be created in your site's footer (especially helpful for mobile users) and/or in a small menu in your header (especially helpful for desktop users).

Clear language: Be sure to avoid library jargon.

Words like ‘resources’ or ‘databases’ are not going to draw people in, but something like ‘Info 24/7’ might prompt a closer look.

Browse through your site and consider replacing library-ese; for example, use ‘borrow from another library’ instead of ‘interlibrary loan’.

Better yet, ask a non-librarian friend to help you spot unfamiliar terminology!

Interaction: Make sure people can DO something on your website. They may need to renew a book online, or place a hold. Can they check on upcoming events and add them to their own calendar?

Maybe they're looking for better information sources than Google or Facebook, or want an ebook or audiobook they can read on their phone.

Thoughtful design can help them do all those things quickly and easily.

The Eyes Have It

Images: Just use them! Images connect us and are instantly understood, so select them carefully.

For more information and some quick tips, check out these SCKLS webcasts on finding and using images.

As you choose images, aim for consistency, and follow through with your site's general appearance (trendy? formal? playful?) as set by your header and colors. If you use non-photo graphics, try to maintain a similar feel across the images. And if you can incorporate colors from your site’s palette, so much the better!

Whitespace: Whether your home page includes posts, sliders, sidebars, widgets and/or lists, be sure that they are arranged with sufficient whitespace around them.

Elements that are too close together look cluttered, and can make viewers subtly uneasy.

Consider sketching wireframes (basic page layouts) to see whether moving or resizing parts of your home page would improve its readability.

If you are interested in reviewing your site's layout and content, or perhaps considering a whole redesign, SCKLS can help! Assistance is just an email or phone call away.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your website,

please reach out to me at sharon@sckls.info.

If you have missed any previous issues, you can now read them online.

Sharon Barnes, SCKLS Technology Consultant

sharon@sckls.info

1-800-234-0529 x135