The Libraries has defined the objective of substantially redesigning its public website. The redesign process will engage the library in broad-based discussions involving students and faculty, internal development, and usability testing. The result will be a website that more effectively delivers the diverse range of digital resources and services needed by researchers and students. The target date for releasing the new site is fall 2004. Watch for news updates and website prototypes.

A Steering Committee is coordinating the work of six internal subgroups as well as taking responsibility for communicating with key groups external to the library, such as the University Library Committee. The subgroups are leading the definition of functional requirements for the new site, as well as advising the Steering Committee on issues related to the project scope and feasibility of implementing individual initiatives. Their specific charges are noted below.

During spring 2004, focus groups will be conducted with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty to get input on features and services that are needed and desired. Throughout the redesign process, extensive usability testing will be conducted, utilizing the library’s new state of the art Usability Research Lab, in order to ensure that the site is effective in its mission to provide easy access to the Libraries’ extensive digital collections and services.

Steering Committee members:
Kristin Antelman, Associate Director for Information Technology, Chair
Carolyn Argentati, Associate Vice Provost and Donald E. Moreland Deputy Director of Libraries
May Chang, Web Development Librarian
Steve Morris, Head, Digital Library Initiatives
Charley Pennell, Head, Cataloging
Nancy Vaupel, Assistant Director for External Relations
Suzanne Weiner, Head, Collection Management
Steve McCann, Libraries Fellow, staff to committee

The six subgroups are:

Access to the Collection
Objectives: Improve access to the library's collection by subject. Improve integrated access to the electronic and paper collections.

Suzanne Weiner, Head, Collection Management, Chair
Lois Black, Assistant Head, Special Collections
Karen DeWitt, Head, Design Library
Andrew Pace, Head, Systems
Greg Raschke, Assistant Head, Collection Management
Shirley Rodgers, Associate Head, Systems
James Jackson Sanborn, Assistant Head, Digital Library Initiatives
Will Wheeler, Assistant Head, Collection Management
May Chang, liaison to Libraries' Web Strategy Team
Kristin Antelman, liaison to Steering Committee

Next Generation MyLibrary
Objectives: The goal of the Next Generation MyLibrary subgroup is to provide access to a suite of personalized services through a single user login on the library homepage. Potentially included are access to borrower account information and services (due dates, renewal options, holds, etc.), access to course-related library materials, new book and journal article alerts, the ability to save searches and search preferences in the catalog and MultiSearch, and the ability to create a personal list of “favorite” e-journals, databases, websites, and other library resources. The subgroup is also responsible for planning migration from the current MyLibrary@NCState product to the new suite of services.

Karen Ciccone, Head, Natural Resources Library, Chair
Bao-Chu Chang, Serials/Electronic Resources Cataloger
Tim Mori, Digital Projects Librarian
Andrew Pace, Head, Systems
Rob Rucker, Head, Distance Learning Services
Scott Watkins, Educational Technologies Librarian
May Chang, liaison to Web Strategy Team
Kristin Antelman, liaison to Steering Committee

Access Tools and Integrated Instruction
Objectives: This subgroup will contribute ideas for a redesigned Libraries’ website that obviates the need for instruction as much as possible and “rescues” users when needed by providing appropriate and innovative instructional components in the proper context. The subgroup will gather and analyze feedback from users to help create interfaces and instructional components, and to help set priorities.

Josh Boyer, Assistant Head, Distance Learning Services, Chair
Kim Duckett, Instruction Librarian for Distance Learning
Cindy Levine, Humanities Reference Librarian
Steve McCann, Libraries Fellow, Digital Library Initiatives
Keith Morgan, Client Services Librarian, Digital Library Initiatives
Steve Morris, Head, Digital Library Initiatives
Megan Oakleaf, Librarian for Instruction and Undergraduate Research
May Chang, liaison to Web Strategy Team
Kristin Antelman, liaison to Steering Committee

Content Management System
Objectives: This subgroup will investigate the pros and cons of implementing a content management system to better manage and repurpose library website content.

May Chang, Web Development Librarian, Chair
Angie Ballard, Information Technologies Training Librarian
Cindy Levine, Humanities Reference Librarian
Rob Main, Technical Operations Manager, Systems
Steve McCann, Libraries Fellow, Digital Library Initiatives
Steve Morris, Head, Digital Library Initiatives
Andrew Pace, Head, Systems
Eric Pauley, Systems Programmer I
Troy Simpson, Applications Analyst Programmer II
Scott Watkins, Educational Technologies Librarian
Tom Zack, Applications Analyst Programmer
Kristin Antelman, liaison to Steering Committee

Usability Testing
Objectives: The usability subgroup will advise subgroups on conducting usability testing and help facilitate tests.

Kelsey Libner, Libraries Fellow, Digital Library Initiatives, Chair
Annis Barbee, Communication and Information Specialist, Scholarly Communication Center
Steve McCann, Libraries Fellow, Digital Library Initiatives
Tripp Reade, Media Resources Librarian
Katherine Dexter Willis, Librarian for Education, Communication and Psychology
May Chang, liaison to Web Strategy Team
Kristin Antelman, liaison to Steering Committee

Communication, Publications and Marketing
Objectives: This subgroup has been charged to meet the needs of users who come to the Libraries website to find information about the library: its functions, its staff, its employment opportunities, its location, it Friends organization, its events and activities, its publications and news, and its development activities. To meet these needs, the subgroup is looking at ways to enhance the website's effectiveness in serving as a communication avenue, a publication medium, and a marketing tool.

Nancy Vaupel, Assistant Director for External Relations, Chair
Laura Blessing, Director of Personnel Management
Vanessa Budnick, Administrative Secretary
Terry Crow, Director of Publications
Karen Grigg, Textiles and Engineering Services Librarian
Jim Mulvey, Director of Development
Linda Saunders, Head, Research and Information Services
May Chang, liaison to Web Strategy Team
Kristin Antelman, liaison to Steering Committee