FROM MESS TO SUCCESSTips on Redesigning Websites

November 3, 2012

California Library Association, San Jose, California

Amanda Foust afoust@marincounty.orgJulie Magnusjmagnus@marincounty.orgSarah Butts sbutts@marincounty.org

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 Librarianafoust@marincounty.org(415) 473-7451

Julie Magnus, Head of Referencejmagnus@marincounty.org(415) 924-6444

Sarah Butts, Library Assistant Isbutts@marincounty.org(415) 924-6444

How to get in touch with us at MCFL