Questions and Answers About the Redesign
April 2004. The University Libraries’ home page is about to undergo a redesign in order to incorporate some of the new services that we offer.
Q: How come no one told me there was going to be a redesign?
A: Because we are just beginning the process now. The Web Redesign Task Force met for the first time Friday, April 16th.
Why are we doing another redesign? Didn’t we do one a year or two ago?
Actually it was three years ago. The Libraries have important services that did not exist when we did our 2001 redesign. Most notably, we have Research Port which has been live since January 24th. We also have UM Digital Collections and will soon have DRUM (Digital Repository at the University of Maryland).
Who decided on the process for the redesign?
The Web Administration Committee developed guidelines for a process and is awaiting approval from LEC. You can read them here: Procedures for Redesigning the UM Libraries' Home Page
Who is on the Redesign Task Force?
- Maggie Cunningham
- Betty Day
- Janet Evander (Chair)
- Gary Phillips
- Cindy Todd
- Laura Wrubel
How extensive will the redesign be?
This will not be as far-reaching a redesign as we did in 2001. Most of the changes will be to the Libraries home page. The basic look and feel of the site will not change (and you will not have to convert your pages to new templates). Because the home page will change, however, that will create a need for some changes on subsidiary pages. For example, we know that Databases and E-journals will not appear on the home page the way they do now (because the information now found through those links will be in Research Port). Since those two categories appear on the header of every page in our site that uses the Libraries’ official templates, we know that the headers for all our pages will have to change.
Yikes! Does that mean I will have to correct the header on each of my pages?
No, we will be able to automate that process.
When will the new redesign go live?
The new site will be ready at the beginning of the fall semester.
How will this affect my work on Web pages I have to have ready for the fall?
We know this is an issue, and we will do everything we can to minimize disruptions to your Web work.
How can I be part of the redesign process?
You can start right now by sending any thoughts you have about the current home page to the Redesign Task Force: redesign@itd.umd.edu. You’ve been using the Libraries’ home page for nearly three years and many of you regularly observe students using it. What works? What doesn’t? What confuses our users (is there library jargon they might not understand?)? What pleases them? Consider these questions:
- Do you feel the home page promotes a favorable user experience? Why or why not?
- What specific areas of the home page do you feel are successful? Why are they successful?
- What shortcomings exist with the current home page, and what three things would you change on the page today if you could?
Will I have the chance to comment on any drafts of the new design?
Yes. The Redesign Task Force will create something that all of you can see and respond to. Some of you will hear about our progress through your other team and committee meetings. We will also make sure there is a forum open to all staff where you can offer comments, so nobody who wants to comment is left out of the process.
How else can I keep track of what’s happening with the redesign process?
The Redesign Task Force will distribute meeting minutes. In addition, the task force will post documents and notes about the redesign process and related activities on this Web site.
What if I have my own questions, that aren’t listed here?
Please send them to the Redesign Task Force: redesign@itd.umd.edu.
