Website Redesign Meeting Notes

Date

Aug 22, 2024

Participants

@Lucinda Amerman
@Robin Weis
@Rachel Burgess
@McKenzie Heryford
@Laura Ramos
@Beth Shields

Goals

Discuss information needs met by map on the website
Develop goals for map website page

Discussion topics

Questions to consider

What is the purpose for having maps on the website?
What information needs do we want to meet ?

Patron ability to plan ahead when accessing library services, spaces, and materials.
- Does the library have what they need?
- Where is the space they need to go for an event (classes, etc.)
- Where are materials they need located?
- Physical accessibility-does the space accommodate their needs?
Reduces anxiety
- Able to plan travel, knowing they can find their needed location quickly.
- Aids in finding materials, spaces, etc. without having to ask for help or interact with more people than desired/necessary.
Provides visual overview to take in information quickly, easily.
Important to keep accessibility needs in mind.
- How would a screen reader interact with our website.
- Does a list of locations better serve screen readers than a map?
- New accessibility rules coming soon.

What is the purpose for having maps on the website? What information needs do we want to meet ?	Patron ability to plan ahead when accessing library services, spaces, and materials. Does the library have what they need? Where is the space they need to go for an event (classes, etc.) Where are materials they need located? Physical accessibility-does the space accommodate their needs? Reduces anxiety Able to plan travel, knowing they can find their needed location quickly. Aids in finding materials, spaces, etc. without having to ask for help or interact with more people than desired/necessary. Provides visual overview to take in information quickly, easily. Important to keep accessibility needs in mind. How would a screen reader interact with our website. Does a list of locations better serve screen readers than a map? New accessibility rules coming soon.
How can we best meet those information needs through maps? How do information needs around services differ from information needs around materials?	Maps with clickable fields-pop ups that include additional information. For services that could include photos, website links, and service description. For materials that might include details shelf location. For spaces that might include photos and wayfinding information. All floor maps kept on a single page so patrons can scroll instead of clicking.
Can we meet service and materials needs with one system or do we need two different mapping systems? How much money are we willing to spend?	Stack Maps would allow detailed wayfinding for materials but is expensive. Unclear if this is the only option. Unclear how granular we want to go with this kind of information. LibCal maps provides pop-up cards with more information. Lucinda will schedule a demo and invite the group. If we go with a different version of clickable map that would require coding from LIT, they need to know soon to block out time for that work.
Other considerations/conclusions	Location list Acts like a Table of Contents for the building and could be separate from the maps pages. Group agrees that the small maps currently on our website are not effective for the labor the require and should be removed. Links included in location list should be to service pages only. Exhibits vs. Displays Exhibits are locations, a destination space for an event and should be referenced in the maps. Displays are materials that change regularly and shouldn’t be tied to maps.

Action items

@Lucinda Amerman schedule a demo for LibCal maps and invite the group.

@Beth Shields will remove the small maps from the current website

Decisions

No more small maps-large maps only