from mess to success
DESCRIPTION
From Mess to Success: Tips on Redesigning Websites Amanda Jacobs Foust, Marin County Free Library; Julie Magnus, Marin County Free Library; Sarah Butts, Marin County Free Library The Marin County Free Library team discusses taking both a public and staff site from mess to success in a challenging environment with comments on new leadership, limited time, diverse staff in 10 locations, a library brand in flux, and a commitment to incorporating a full-scale social media integration. They will share tips on redesigns as well as lessons learned on how to work effectively with staff and the public and also address documentation, training and the procedures developed to gather and implement post-launch updates and improvements to both sites.TRANSCRIPT
FROM MESS TO SUCCESSTips on Redesigning Websites
November 3, 2012
California Library Association, San Jose, California
Amanda Foust [email protected] [email protected] Butts [email protected]
Marin County Free Library
MARIN COUNTY FREE LIBRARY
WEBSITE 2010
BRAND 2000-2012
BLOG 2010
http://lonewolflibrarian.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/social-media-explained-07-02-12/
SOCIAL MEDIA: THE JOURNEY
County of Marin Measurement for Results (MFR) FY 10-11Develop a social media strategy that effectively promotes library programs and services with an emphasis on their value to our communities. Reach out to people where they already are getting their information.
All staff are encouraged to participate 1-2 hours per month/30 minutes per week
PER BRANCH MANAGER’S DISCRETION The Big Five:
o Blogso Facebooko Flickro Twittero YouTube
MCFL SOCIAL MEDIA OVERVIEW
SOCIAL MEDIA CHEAT SHEETS FOR STAFF
PHOTO GUIDELINES
CHEAT SHEETS
TOOL KITS
http://theantisocialmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Darth-Vader-The-Anti-Social-Media.png
INTRANET: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
WEBSITE TIMELINE (1 OF 5 PAGES)
During vendor selection, ask for examples of websites created with budgets approximate to your project
Technical support available to answer questions/verify concerns about needed server capacity
Create your own spreadsheets/notes on outstanding items and tasks
TIPS
WIREFRAMES: HOMEPAGE
Confirm who is actually creating the wireframes for your project– you or the developer
Keep your contract on hand at all times and refer to it
TIPS
WIREFRAMES: ALL THINGS SOCIAL MEDIA
WIREFRAME: BRANCH PAGE
THE SPREADSHEET
PROOFREADING
USE GOOGLE DRIVE
INTRANET: PREVIOUS
INTRANET: HOMEPAGE
INTRANET: HOMEPAGE; FOOTER
INTRANET: BRANCH PAGES
INTRANET: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1. Learn to Log on every day and read the system and branch blogs
2. Learn to Post to your branch blog (and then the system)
3. Assist Your Colleagues until everyone is comfortable
Launch Date: Tuesday, 11/6
INTRANET: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident.” Arthur Schopenhauer, Philosopher, 1788-1860
Take everyone along for the ride…
Staff unhappy with old site Site was locked down Adding new content was difficult
New site design Open for all to create content Distributed maintenance instead of centralized
Challenge: pendulum swung too far Everyone has an opinion Not all opinions have substance or are useful
TRANSITION
Acknowledge everyone’s input & respond with how it fits into the plan Not all ideas can be included Not all suggestions fit in with the plan Don’t ignore feedback or questions
Explain budget constraints Tension between staff wanting to have
autonomy and need for direction
BUY-IN
Communicate often, give progress reports Focus on main goals:
Increased usability Increased access for staff to contribute Increased interactivity/social media Staying relevant to the community
Communicate the big picture Incremental steps & discrete tasks for staff
TIPS
Training plan: If no resources, try interns Ask Administration for staffing Share info with early adopters (they can become
your trainers) Create simple documentation Early success, not early distress Need specific goal when training Thank people for their contributions and
bravery
TIPS
Office Space
STAY POSITIVE
CRITICAL VS. NON-CRITICAL
CRITICAL VS. NON-CRITICAL
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT DRUPAL
USE QUALITY TOOLS
DOCUMENTATION
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
HAVE FUN!
http://www.meloveletters.com/self-love-is/self-love-say-yes-to-yourself/
SAY YES
Looney Tunes
EXPECT FAILURE
THANK PROFUSELY
WHAT’S NEXT?
Reflect, thenBoldly Go….
Conduct surveys Track usage of site with Google Analytics
What are people looking at? What do they use? Make high-demand features easy to access
Connect with community sites Add new features (e.g. Dear Reader) Keep abreast of developments (e.g.
Pinterest)
TIPS
QUESTIONS?
Amanda Foust, Electronic Services [email protected](415) 473-7451
Julie Magnus, Head of [email protected](415) 924-6444
Sarah Butts, Library Assistant [email protected](415) 924-6444
How to get in touch with us at MCFL