Enrollment options
Optional Print Course Material: Librarianship: Developing A Genealogy Web Site
*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.
In this course you will be introduced to all the components of planning and building a genealogy library website. There are many specialized books and websites to help you in the building of an organizational website, of whatever size.
This course is designed to give you an overall understanding of all the areas that are involved, in some of which you may realize you will need further training. You will be introduced to the issues of planning, design, usability, accessibility and the technical language and definitions you will need to proceed on your own, or with a team, to build your genealogy library website.
Course Length: 8 weeks
MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION
The “Accidental Webmaster”
Planning Your Website
Choosing a Committee
Developing a Timeline
Library Website Policies
Storyboarding
Models for Website Structure
MODULE 2
THE TECHNOLOGY OF WEB BUILDING
Definitions
Language of the Web: Hypertext Markup Language
Web Authoring Tools
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Content Management Systems
Images
Database-Driven Websites
MODULE 3
WEB DESIGN
Design for Usability
Personas
Look of the Website
Site Navigation
Accessible Design
MODULE 4
WRITING FOR THE WEB
Who Are You Writing For?
Make the Pages Scannable
Make the Text Concise
Watch Your Language
Use Links Wisely
Write So That You Can Be Found
Edit, Edit, Edit
Develop Web Writing Policies
MODULE 5
WEB CONTENT
Web Content Collection Development Policies
Types of Web Content
What Do Your Users Want to Find?
What Content Do You Already Have?
Unique Local Content
Partnerships Outside the Library
Instructional Materials
Copyright
MODULE 6
WEBSITE USABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
Website Accessibility
Evaluating a Website for Accessibility
Website Usability
MODULE 7
FINISHING, PUBLICIZING AND MAINTAINING YOUR WEBSITE
Forms on the Website
Publicizing the Website
Maintaining the Genealogy Library Website
Updating the Genealogy Library Website