How would such a document differ from the usability guidelines published 
by the Department of Health and Human Services?

http://guidelines.usability.gov/

(Now that's "official"!)

-Shaun

On 10/1/14 4:24 PM, Bennett Ponsford wrote:
> On the other hand, I'm looking for best practices that I call point librarians to.   And for that, having support from ALA/LITA is pretty much essential.  I can quote Jared Spool or Jakob Nielsen till I'm blue in the face and no one will listen, but if I can say "these guidelines come from ALA"  more people at my place of work will actually listen.
>
> Bennett
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Bennett Claire Ponsford  |  Digital Services Librarian
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Joshua Welker
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 2:57 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was: LibGuides v2
>> - Templates and Nav)
>>
>> Code4Lib is certainly respected among techy librarians, but I would bet that
>> 90% of my coworkers have never heard of it and would not care especially
>> much about a document they publish. Not to disparage the group.
>> I think it's great. I just think that official, institutionalized channels are going
>> to be most effective in this case.
>>
>> I will be gone several days but will start throwing some things together soon.
>>
>> Josh Welker
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Sean Hannan
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 2:30 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was: LibGuides v2
>> - Templates and Nav)
>>
>> I'm just going to jump in here and question the need for it to be ALA or LITA
>> affiliated. Plenty of stuff has been accomplished and respected (like, oh, hey,
>> code4lib) without an attachment of ALA or LITA.
>>
>> Annnnd...discuss.
>>
>> -Sean
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Code for Libraries [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Joshua
>> Welker [[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 3:19 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was: LibGuides v2
>> - Templates and Nav)
>>
>> Bohyun,
>>
>> That sounds like it could be a great fit.
>>
>> There would be two final products for what I have in mind:
>>
>> 1. A wiki site (ideally attached to an ALA-affiliated domain name) where we
>> can collaborate and break all this down at the topic level. This is the source
>> that would be used by the boots-on-the-ground librarians who are actually
>> doing UX work and need practical information. It would be continually
>> updated. The content would be curated, and there would be a very basic
>> approval process for creating new editor accounts.
>>
>> 2. An annually-revised document (again, attached to an ALA-affiliated
>> domain
>> name) that compiles everything from the wiki together in a format that can
>> easily be presented to other librarians and administrators. In my experience,
>> a bureaucratically approved document carries a lot more weight in libraries
>> than a website, at least in academic libraries.
>>
>> Topics that would be addressed:
>>
>> 1. Accessibility
>> 2. Layout patterns
>> 3. Typography and readability
>> 4. Best practices for specific library web platforms 5. Recommendations for
>> how libraries should implement the guidelines at a management level
>> (non-technical)
>>
>> Josh Welker
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Kim, Bohyun
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 1:42 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was: LibGuides v2
>> - Templates and Nav)
>>
>> Jumping into this discussion late. Just wanted to let everyone know that LITA
>> UX IG would be more than happy to provide a venue for this type of
>> discussion since it would fit the interest of UX IG perfectly. (I am chairing the
>> IG this year; ping me if that sounds interesting and if there is anything LITA
>> UX IG can help.) LITA IGs are super flexible.
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Bohyun
>>
>>
>> --
>> Bohyun Kim, MA, MSLIS
>> Associate Director for Library Applications and Knowledge Systems University
>> of Maryland, Baltimore Health Sciences and Human Services Library
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>> Megan O'Neill Kudzia
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 1:24 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was: LibGuides v2
>> - Templates and Nav)
>>
>> I've been following with interest, and I think some really important points are
>> coming out here.
>>
>> John, what you said about Tomcat vs. Jetty really resonated with me - maybe
>> this is *yet another* place where we could split this thread, but I think for
>> those of us straddling the gap between web design and web development,
>> something like a reference guide for what the questions to ask even are,
>> would be extremely helpful.
>>
>> As you said, the answer to many many questions is, "it depends," and
>> knowledge of those topics comes with experience. However, maybe (and I
>> volunteer to help with this project, inasmuch as I can) a sort of expansion of
>> the Guide for the Perplexed would be really useful for those of us who are
>> no longer total beginners, but are sort of struggling to level up?
>>
>> That is, those of us with some experience of various projects could
>> contribute anything public-share-able from our post mortem project
>> conversations, relevant to each type of project? It's something I've been
>> thinking about for some time, and I'm still not sure what an optimal structure
>> would be, but I keep thinking it would be a really worthwhile project.
>>
>> I will also say that everything I've found on alistapart and libux has been
>> incredibly useful!
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 30, 2014 at 11:05 AM, Joshua Welker <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> How many folks following this discussion are LITA members? Would
>>> anyone be willing to join LITA to be a part of an interest group on
>>> this subject? I will renew my membership in LITA if that is the best
>>> route to take.
>>>
>>> Josh Welker
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
>>> Of Cindi Blyberg
>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:46 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was:
>>> LibGuides v2
>>> -
>>> Templates and Nav)
>>>
>>> Oh, and if UX doesn't fit, y'all can establish the LITA Web Standards
>>> IG, or the LITA Code4Lib Web Best Practices IG, or whatever you want
>>> to call it.
>>> You need 10 LITA Member signatures:
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.ala.org/lita/sites/ala.org.lita/files/content/about/manual/
>>> forms/e5-igformation.pdf
>>>
>>>
>>> http://www.ala.org/lita/about/igs
>>>
>>> On Tue, Sep 30, 2014 at 10:44 AM, Cindi Blyberg <[log in to unmask]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> *puts on LITA hat*
>>>>
>>>> There are several ways that LITA/ALA could play a role here.
>>>>
>>>> Publications:
>>>> There is a series of books called LITA Guides.  Great way to get the
>>>> word out widely, but a static format.
>>>> http://www.alastore.ala.org/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=lita
>>>>
>>>> There are also Library Technology Reports - a periodical.  Still
>>>> static, but published more regularly:
>>>> http://alatechsource.org/ltr/index
>>>>
>>>> There is also the LITA UX Interest Group.  IGs are fluid,
>>>> volunteer-run (not appointed), and can pretty much do what they want.
>>>> Publish and update something? Sure!  Establish and run a virtual
>>>> conference? Definitely! Have meetings and programs at conferences?
>> Yes!
>>>> Caveat: must be a LITA member.
>>>>
>>>> Happy to provide more info if needed.
>>>>
>>>> -Cindi
>>>> of the many hats
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Sep 30, 2014 at 10:34 AM, Joshua Welker <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I definitely agree that we should adhere to larger web standards
>>>>> and that we should actively discourage conventions that libraries
>>>>> have adopted over the years that have nothing to do with wider
>>>>> standards and best practices (e.g.
>>>>> tabbed search boxes, content in sidebar regions). In fact, much of
>>>>> our work would just be bringing together information from several
>>>>> standards into a common location and putting a "librarian" stamp of
>>>>> approval on it.
>>>>>
>>>>> Some topics I had in mind:
>>>>>
>>>>> -Accessibility standards: screen readers, color blindness, keyboard
>>>>> navigation, alt tags, etc.
>>>>> -Text: readable fonts, colors, text alignment -Page layout:
>>>>> navigation location, sidebars, headings and subheadings, search box
>>>>> designs, database pages, mobile friendliness -Best practices for
>>>>> specific library platforms: LibGuides, DSpace, etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> Some official name would be required, of course. I also think it
>>>>> would be great if we could write a draft, bring it to an official
>>>>> ALA group like LITA, and get them to adopt it after making their
>>>>> own tweaks.
>>>>>
>>>>> Josh Welker
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>>>>> Behalf Of Michael Schofield
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:01 AM
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was:
>>>>> LibGuides
>>>>> v2 -
>>>>> Templates and Nav)
>>>>>
>>>>> I am interested but I am a little hazy about what kind of standards
>>>>> you all are suggesting. I would warn against creating standards
>>>>> that conflict with any actual web standards, because I--and, I
>>>>> think, many others--would honestly recommend that the #libweb
>>>>> should aspire to and adhere more firmly to larger web standards and
>>>>> best practices that conflict with something that's more, ah,
>>>>> librarylike. Although that might not be what you folks have in mind
>>>>> at all : ).
>>>>>
>>>>> Michael S.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>>>>> Behalf Of Brad Coffield
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2014 9:30 AM
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Library community web standards (was:
>>>>> LibGuides
>>>>> v2 -
>>>>> Templates and Nav)
>>>>>
>>>>> Josh, thanks for separating this topic out and starting this new
>>>>> thread. I don't know of any such library standards that exist on
>>>>> the web. I agree that this sounds like a great idea. As for this
>>>>> group or not... why not!
>>>>> It's 2014 and they don't exist yet and they would be incredibly
>>>>> useful for many libraries, if not all. Now all we need is a cool
>>> 'working
>>>>> group'
>>>>> title
>>>>> for ourselves and we're halfway done! Right???
>>>>>
>>>>> But seriously, I'd love to help.
>>>>>
>>>>> Brad
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Brad Coffield, MLIS
>>>>> Assistant Information and Web Services Librarian Saint Francis
>>>>> University
>>>>> 814-472-3315
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Megan (O'Neill) Kudzia
>> Web Services & Emerging Technologies Librarian Stockwell-Mudd Library
>> Albion College
>> 602 E. Cass St.
>> Albion, MI 49224

-- 
Shaun Ellis
User Interface Developer, Digital Initiatives
Princeton University Library
609.258.1698

“Any darn fool can get complicated. It takes genius to attain 
simplicity.” -Pete Seeger