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Information Architecture for Librarians or The top 10 things you can do to improve your website

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Jenny Emanuel

This document discusses information architecture (IA), which is the structural design of shared information environments including organization, labeling, search, and navigation systems. IA is important for creating library websites that meet the needs of different users groups in an organized, usable, and findable manner. While libraries strive to keep physical shelves unchaotic, many library websites grow disorganized over time without IA principles. The document argues that most web librarians receive inadequate training for their role, despite being seen as tech savvy, and library schools do not sufficiently prepare students to design structured, user-focused websites.

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About the presenter This is why I became a librarian Too bogged down in early process, but it made for sites that were usable and had significant room to grow I love studying librarians and library users to see how they work What is Information Architecture? Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld define it in a complex way: The structural design of shared information environments The combination of organization, labeling, search, and navigation systems within web sites and intranets. The art and science of shaping information products and experiences to support usability and findability. An emerging discipline and community of practice focused on brining principals of design and architecture to the digital landscape. Why is IA important? You cant have site that meets the needs of all users (librarians, staff, users, etc.) without some sort of structure. It keeps stuff organized, usable, and findable. It allows adequate room to growwill stand the test of time. Flexible and scalable. Sadly, most library websites grow organically over time in an unorganized manner Why Library Web Sites? Well, we are the information people, but most librarians dont understand IA There are so many bad examples We dont allow our shelves to be chaotic (wellwe try hard), so why dont put the same emphasis on our web sites? Most web librarians are accidental and library school doesnt prepare you for such a role Newer, younger librarians, are seen as tech savvy and are often handed web responsibilities, even though youre not adequately prepared
Yes, you learn HTML, but often either dont go further, or go into theory This is why I became a librarian

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Information Architecture for Librarians or The top 10 things you can do to improve your website

  • 1. About the presenter This is why I became a librarian Too bogged down in early process, but it made for sites that were usable and had significant room to grow I love studying librarians and library users to see how they work What is Information Architecture? Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld define it in a complex way: The structural design of shared information environments The combination of organization, labeling, search, and navigation systems within web sites and intranets. The art and science of shaping information products and experiences to support usability and findability. An emerging discipline and community of practice focused on brining principals of design and architecture to the digital landscape. Why is IA important? You cant have site that meets the needs of all users (librarians, staff, users, etc.) without some sort of structure. It keeps stuff organized, usable, and findable. It allows adequate room to growwill stand the test of time. Flexible and scalable. Sadly, most library websites grow organically over time in an unorganized manner Why Library Web Sites? Well, we are the information people, but most librarians dont understand IA There are so many bad examples We dont allow our shelves to be chaotic (wellwe try hard), so why dont put the same emphasis on our web sites? Most web librarians are accidental and library school doesnt prepare you for such a role Newer, younger librarians, are seen as tech savvy and are often handed web responsibilities, even though youre not adequately prepared
  • 2. Yes, you learn HTML, but often either dont go further, or go into theory This is why I became a librarian