As our library prepares to launch a new website in 2016, the User Experience librarian is conducting interviews with both staff and patrons to aid in the design process. I was thrilled that she suggested coming to the September meeting of our library’s Kids Advisory Board to gather their thoughts. In addition to being avid patrons, this crew of kids happen to be the most tech-savvy group I know. Not only do they keep us current when it comes to preferred gaming systems, but they also assist in facilitating tech programs.
Asking kids how they navigate both the website and catalog was quite eye-opening and confirmed that it’s not just grownups that access the library’s website to see what’s new for books and programs. Not only do these tweens place holds on books independently, but they also frequently browse our digital catalogs like Overdrive and Hoopla for books and music. One member commented that Hoopla didn’t have the music he desires so, “Spotify just seemed to make more sense.”
Of course, this independent searching is not universal for all young library patrons, but we may be underestimating how frequently kids do visit the library virtually, and if so, would this change the way we design our websites and catalogs?
As hands shot up to offer feedback on color schemes and sidebar options, many of the comments were changes that the design team were already planning on implementing. Adding drop-down menus and having event happenings featured prominently were some of the most agreed upon discussion points. While library programs seem to drive website traffic, our group of kids did not want the collection to be left behind. Adding images of new releases and what’s hot in the book world were additions they would like to see. They also thought it would be cool to have the community vote each month on favorite books and have it featured on the website.
Overall, the meeting was an excellent opportunity to talk web design with young patrons in the community. Having kids give their uninhibited viewpoints was an incredible experience and made me question why we don’t allow their voices to be heard more often. It also reaffirmed the desire to provide more opportunities for them to learn the skills needed to explore web design as a profession. With extensive waitlists for current library coding classes, perhaps our focus should include other options for kids to explore the design and architecture of information on the web.
Here are some resources to consider:
How Do You Teach Children Web Design
Codeacademy – CSS: Coding with Style
Claire Moore is a member of the Digital Content Task Force. She is also Head of Children and Teen Services at Darien Library in Connecticut. You can reach Claire at cmoore@darienlibrary.org.
Visit the Digital Media Resources page to find out more about navigating your way through the evolving digital landscape.