The Ann Arbor District Library's redesign of their website is receiving a lot of attention, and rightly so. Giving AADL.org a very quick onceover, I am extremely jealous. Compare it with my local library's background image - and you can get a hint of why. My immediate response to good design is always a desire to rip up my CSS and start anew here - and believe me -- that urge has been dropkicked into my chest.
AADL is chock full o' bloggily goodness. The conversational aspects of a weblog, providing feedback and gathering input from its readers are alive and well at AADL. Shifty provides the insight of why this format is working so well for them -- and how they are employing it correctly:
The AADL blogs do it all right. The posts are written in the first person and in a conversational tone, with the author's first name to help stress the people in the library. The staff isn't afraid to note problems with the new catalog, the web site, or anything else. Full transparency - nice. You can feel the level of trust building online. They respond to every comment that needs it, whether it's a criticism, question, or suggestion.
She then goes on to list examples of the comment feedback -- and then makes a follow up post after hearing from the AADL's tech guru - Eli Neiburger.
One aspect that can't be overlooked is AADL's utilization of RSS throughout the site. Powerful for disseminating information, fun for play. Take a look at how patron Edward Vielmetti is harnessing the power of the library feeds in the right-hand column of his blog.
Elsewhere:
mousemusings: Slick New Ann Arbor District Library Website
Librarian in Black: Blogger asks for RSS @ Library...and gets it
lbr: AADL's new website unveiled to rave reviews
