LibGuides: Website Task Force: Library Websites Research

Amy's Favorites

Wardman Library - Whittier College
Love the clean graphics and straightforward organization.
Hewes Library - Monmouth College
Good example of a site built on the LibGuides template. Also like embedded instruction in the form of the "Research Process" tab.
Olin C. Bailey Library - Hendrix College
Again, clean, uncluttered front page. Research help links accompanied by jargon-free explanations. Content throughout site is written in a casual, accessible style.
The Libraries at Colby College
Research guides are front and center - this makes them impossible to miss. Making staff photos prominent humanizes the library, makes library & librarians more approachable.

Good Library - Goshen College
Beautiful, simple, and streamlined layout. No jargon. Heavy use of icons. Beautiful.
Tarrant Country College District Library
Simple layout and NO jargon! Beautiful slideshow feature.
Wardman Library - Whittier College
I agree with Kathryn on this one. I love the prominent use of icons -- all of the social media icons on the bottom! Also, I love that there are only four choices on the front page and they are very intuitive. (Although I think the actual content on the website has a lot to be desired..)
Miller Library - Cornerstone University
I like that this LibGuide website doesn't actually feel like a LibGuide. The organization is on the left-hand side, instead of the tabs at the top. Also, the comments boxes have been turned off and each individual box isn't labeled with a title. Feels much more integrated than most LibGuides-based websites.
Tricounty Technical College Library
I like the organization and layout -- it doesn't feel like a LibGuide even though it is.

Look at our partner institutions' library websites. Take note of terminology and organization.

Each month ACRL features a new college library website. The deciding factors are:

Ease of access -- times connection with a relatively quick load of graphics
Content -- useful and relevant, containing breadth and depth, and characterized by accuracy
Currency -- an indication of the last update of the site
Design -- an eye-catching and appealing overall look, effective use of graphics related to a page's theme, and consistent layout
Navigation -- features suc as a link back to the home page, site search capability, and site layout.