A very well-designed library web page is the Bowdoin College web site.   This page excels at both user-friendliness as well as at visual layout and aesthetics.  One nice element is the fact that the catalog can be accessed from the main page. This is important as many users, epecially undergraduates, who are accessing library sites remotely are wanting to go straight to the catalog. Placing the catalog on the main page reduces the number of links these repeat users will have to click on to reach their destination.  Catalog access is also very visible as it is offered at the very top of the page.  In addition, the Bowdoin College library web page takes an innovative approach in the way it offers links to searching databases, reserve articles, and journal titles.  These are offered as tabs together with the catalog on one search area seperate from the rest of the page.  Clicking on the tab “Find Articles” will allow the user to browse databases without changing the rest of the page.  This enables the user to still have access to the other links on the main page without having to toggle back and forth between pages.  The visual layout is also appealing with soothing colors and information arranged in an easy to read column format.  There is no need to scroll down much to find information.  The site also provides interactivity through its online help button and through instant messaging.  Both of these can be seen easily on the main page.  

Another web site that is as well-designed, if not as pretty, is the Walter E. Helmke Library site at Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne.  This web site offers not only catalog access but also database access on the main page.  Here again, repeat users do not have to go through several pages to reach their destination.  Search aids are also offered for new users under each type of search.  An IUCAT tutorial is offered under the catalog search, an “Is Your Journal Scholarly” link is offered under database search.  Another positive element of this web site is the way in which population specific services are offered on the main page.  These services include not only the expected faculty and student services, but also information specifically for Distance Learners and People with Disabilities.  

So what can the Rebecca Crown Library main page learn from these web sites?   Although the site is visually appealing,  a sparser style with less text would make the site easier to navigate.  The amount of text describing the library changes, though interesting to newcomers, causes the repeat user to have to scroll down to find such important information as phone numbers.   Perhaps this text might have been better placed in a link?  Like many library websites, but unlike the two described above, catalog access is not offered on the main page, but requires two further pages to access.  This can be frustrating to remote users who are using the site repeatedly.  Less text also provides space for more keyword linking.  Despite these concerns, there are many positive attributes to the Rebecca Crown page.  Interactivity is promoted through the Library Blog and the Chat Reference.  Also, phone numbers and hours of service are posted without having to link to other pages.  It is good that this basic information is readily accessible.  Also, although not on the main page, most resources, such as Research Help are only one click away.