Applying best practices in web site redesign: the Queens College Libraries experience

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the best practices in web site redesign the authors established for its two interconnected parts, the web development process and web design. The paper demonstrates how best practices were applied to coordinate a library web site redesign project and to engineer the web site for optimum usability, resulting in the creation of a new improved web site. Design/methodology/approach – A problem-solution approach was used to analyze how the Queens College Libraries (QCL) fell behind in web technology and how it revitalized its web operations. The paper presents a detailed exposition of a three stage project, and provides reasons for adopting best practices in redesigning each web site area. Findings – In a resource-challenged mid-sized academic library, like QCL, it is still possible to create a fully functional easy-to-use web site. Practical implications – The QCL experience has lessons for other libraries in similar circumstances. A mid-sized academic library adopting a best practices approach to web redesign can successfully coordinate an open and inclusive development process and use public web standards to engineer a functional web site responsive to user needs. Originality/value – Unlike other case studies of web redesign projects at academic libraries, this paper focus on both the web development process and web design, explicating the establishment and application of best practices for both areas.