Public Interfaces Committee
March 3, 2004
Room 411 SML
Present: Julie Linden (chair), Manon Theroux, Rick Zwies, Katie Bauer (recorder),
Tim Young, Andy Shimp, Kalee Sprague, Karen Reardon, Dale Askey, Joan Emmet
(guest)
1. Text only page and other accessibility issues
Joan Emmet visited as chair of the Accessibility Resources Network. The
group discussed the placement of a link to a text only version (http://www.library.yale.edu/htmldocs/yulhome_text.htm
) of the Front Door. Joan emphasized that the link needed to be as close to
the top of the page as possible to optimize use of text reader software. PIC
agreed to make the text only link be part of the ALT tag for the Yale University
Library graphic at the top of Front Door page. A visible link to the text-only
page will also be placed in the footer. Bonnie Turner will be asked to do this.
The group also considered three alternative Front Door pages designed to aid
the visually impaired. The options
http://www.library.yale.edu/htmldocs/yulhomebl.htm Darker font, same size (compared
to the current Front Door.)
http://www.library.yale.edu/htmldocs/yulhomefont1bl.htm Darker font, larger
size.
http://www.library.yale.edu/htmldocs/yulhomefont1.htm Same color font, larger
size.
After discussion, the group decided that the first option would be an appropriate
change. The darker font makes the options easier to read. However, the larger
font size is a larger design issue, and could only be considered as part of
a larger redesign, and would require more extensive graphic design work (probably
outsourced). It was also pointed out that users can adjust their browser and
screen resolution to change the font size they see.
2. Announcements
Kalee announced that the recently discussed Orbis changes will be made as follows:
"no call number" will change to "none"
"electronic resource" will change to "available online"
these tags will be removed from Brief View: 256, 530, 538, 776
3. Items renewed
Sue Crockford Peters has asked for help with the following problem that may
occur when a patron renews a book online. If a patron brings a renewed book
into the Sterling Memorial Library or the Cross Campus Library he will not be
allowed past security when he tries to leave the library until he returns to
the Circulation Desk to get a renewal slip. She would like a message displayed
warning patrons of this when they renew online.
There is one place available for such a warning: the Items Checked Out page
under Renewal Status. Kalee will check the following:
· Can a hyperlink be added in this space
· How much text can be added
· Could the courtesy notice email sent to patrons include an explanation
of this problem?
There was general agreement that adding text to Orbis would only be part of
the solution to this problem. Ideally signs should be posted in SML and CCL.
Also, an online renewal service should not involve the need to return to a Circulation
Desk.
Suggested text: Obtain updated slip at Circulation Desk to exit SML or CCL.
4. Feedback on the change to add Special Collections Subject
One person complained that the wording is misleading because readers might think
that special collections could be searched only with this option. Alternative
labels suggested were Locally Established Subject, Locally Created Subject,
or simply Special Subject.
Decision: PIC decided to stay with the wording "Special Collections Subject"
and add this option as the last search option. The size of the menu box will
increase so that all options display without scrolling.
On the question of removing the ranked keyword search: the group decided that
we do not have enough evidence to make such a decision. There are some librarians
who would really like to get rid of this option, but Kalee pointed out that
staff in her office use the ranked keyword search a lot. It would help to have
a better handle on how often this is actually used. This option will be tabled
until Orbis statistics are available. This may happen by May. If this happens,
we could have a good month of data to use to make this decision. If reports
are not available until later, this may have to wait until later in the autumn.
5. LSF and other locations
Wording will change to "Click "Place Requests for delivery to any
Yale library." The Location label will be a link to the Library Locations
page (in a pop-up window). The Library Locations page (http://www.library.yale.edu/libraries/locations.html)
will have Orbis location codes added to it.
6. Additional business
Julie noted that the addition of the Special Collections Subject search will
require the creation of help examples and more detailed explanations. Tim will
ask Ellen Cordes to help create these files, starting with brief text for the
initial Orbis screen. The Orbis Help page for this search will include a link
to the recently revised Special Catalogs page
Also the order of the help examples should follow the order of the search options;
Kalee will rearrange.
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