Responsive approaches: Redesigning websites for Duke, NCSU & UNC Libraries
Emily Daly, Head of Assessment & User Experience, Duke University Libraries
Charlie Morris, User Experience Development Librarian, NCSU Libraries
Kim Vassiliadis, Head of User Experience, UNC Libraries
TRLN Annual Meeting | July 23, 2014
By the numbers
DUKE NCSU UNC
CMS Drupal Drupal WordPress
Timeframe Oct 12 - Jan 13 Nov 13 - May 14 Oct 12 - Aug 13
Consultants In-house + 1 content editor
In-house In-house
Content Editors 70+ 84 70+
# of Pages 910 (down from 4000+ pages)
1,617 nodes 360 (down from 30,000+ pages)
Responsive Update:
Scoped for Design
Before
What our needs were
● Responsive Web Design● Flat design● User interface templates○ brand
Minimalist approach
● not a redesign● phased approach is okay● “Getting Real”
see http://gettingreal.37signals.com
Minimize disruption
boiling a frog
Addressing content
● address content in later phase● content inventory to keep
track of all pages and apps in terms of design
Desktop
Mobile
Some other bits
● Moved to git and GitHub● Implemented Capistrano v3 for fail-safe
deployments● Wrote our own Drupal theme for
Foundation 5● Actively soliciting feedback now● Kept bits of the old m.lib site that made
sense
Next
● Structuring content● Workflows● Updating remaining “classic” interfaces ● Information architecture
UNC Intro slide here!
Website Redesign:
From the Ground Up
● 30,000 manually coded files● No real content oversight● Organizational focused, not user focused
Why a Redesign?
RIP1998 - 2013
From This...
To This!
Goal 1: DiscoveryUsers know where to start to conduct research or find information about the libraries and they are able to successfully find the research materials or information they need.
Goal 2: AccessUsers can easily access library materials, including books, journals, articles, DVDs, Special Collections, and digital collections.
* Access to Branches as open/available physical locations
Goal 3: ServicesUsers can easily find information about library resources, services and expertise available.
Goal 4: BrandingUsers view the Libraries as knowledgeable, reliable, helpful, consistent, welcoming, professional, and approachable
Goal 5: Device neutralityUsers can interact with the website on whatever device they use
User-Centered Website Goals
Worked with ALL content owners
Content Inventory
● Wish List● Usability
User Feedback
Since Launch
Future Plans
● Content Audits● User Testing● Constant Care & Feeding
Website Overhaul:
A collaborative endeavor
Why redesign?
Project tenets
● User-centered
● Collaborative
● Transparent
● Iterative
● In-house
● Grounded in research, strategy & planning
Vision & Values
Research, research, research
●
Time for content
Launch!
Assess, refine, repeat
What’s ahead
Thanks for listening!
Emily Daly, [email protected]
Charlie Morris, [email protected]
Kim Vassiliadis, [email protected]
