Web Help for Public Libraries
In this digital age, the public library website has become an integral part of customer service. The tips and information below have been designed specifically for public library staff who design their organization's website.
Keep checking back - this page will be updated periodically with new topics!
Overall Style - Tips on Creating a Top-Notch Library Website... Big or Small
No matter the budget, there are essentials to creating a good website. This page provides tips on planning, style, writing for the web, and figuring your library's website into a marketing plan.
How to Evaluate a Web Designer's Work
This article is an instructional guide for those non-technological library directors who are interested in hiring staff to handle the library's website, or to help them evaluate the current designer's work.
KDLA has designed a calendar, which is pre-formatted, can be easily customized to fit in with the library's color scheme, and includes the ability to create pop-up descriptions of events by the addition of one line of coding.
Templates (Updated - 2006) | Templates with Drop-Down Menus
In order to help public libraries with web design, KDLA has designed these customizable CSS/tables-based templates. In the hard coding of each template are instructions as to how to manipulate the styles to fit it with your library's color and/or marketing design scheme. All of these templates meet Priority 1, 2, and 3 ADA/508 compliance.
Hints on Customizing Templates | Hints on Customizing Templates (continued)
Whether using KDLA's templates or creating some on your own, these tips will help you customize some aspects of HTML coding to fit the needs of your library and patrons.
Using Colors on Your Library's Website
This handy guide will give you tips on selecting colors for your library's web pages.
Evaluating and Citing Other Electronic Sources on Your Website
Your library's website can be a great tool for Reference research; you can construct your own online "reference collection" for the benefit of your patrons. This guide will help you determine which information is suitable for posting on your website.
Copyright/Public Domain/Fair Use Information
Does your library's website download clip art, fonts, or other media for display on your library's website? This guide will help you determine what you can or cannot use without permission.
Keeping Information Private: Handling Online Forms
Find out what types of information you can collect from your patrons via the internet, and which you cannot. This section also includes photo usage permission forms, and guidelines and infomration about privacy policies.
Changing Your Web Address? Coding for Automatic Redirection
Don't leave your patrons hanging - use these codes to redirect patrons using old web addresses to your new content.
Created at KDLA, these images are copyright-free and available for use by Kentucky public libraries.
Does your public library need some individual help with web design? Contact KDLA's Web Coordinator further assistance.
**This service is available only to Kentucky Public Libraries.**
Recommended Resources for Web Design
This listing provides recommended resources, as well as "honorable mentions" for web design.