Minutes
Attending: Patricia O'Neill (chair), Susan Barnes (recorder), Tony Cosgrave, Steve Couch, Michael Engle, Barbara Prior, Nancy Skipper, Meryl White.
The Physical Sciences and Music Libraries' servers are up on the CUL server.
Patricia announced that standards for access service forms (recalls, renewals, etc.) are being developed.
The glossary contributed by Peter MacDonald to the Draft CUL WWW Guidelines document received rave reviews; the committee could think of only two additional terms to add: "header" and "title." Michael will add the terms.
The committee discussed whether it is time to remove the "draft" from the title of the guidelines document upon which it is working -- and which it is now using. Members unanimously felt it was crucial to make clear that the document will always be a work-in-progress, due to the constant evolution of the Web. It was agreed that the mutable nature of the guidelines would be relayed adequately by version numbers at the beginning of the document, and by the explanation in the introduction.
The group also discussed Paul Constantine's guidelines for submission of Web pages to the server, including whether the guidelines imply that the Design Committee will be a standing committee (we had originally thought that we might work ourselves out of business). Patricia suggested -- and the group agreed -- that the committee should remain active at least while various units are creating their Web pages and moving them to the CUL server. This is a period of activity, when the group is still needed.
Patricia updated the committee on efforts to get design assistance for Web page development: she, Tony, and Steve will be meeting very soon with University Publications. Steve announced that the Library Public Affairs Office is working with a consultant to develop graphic elements of a University Library persona or organizational identity. These elements may include logos and a set of other graphics that would be available to all units for use in their Web pages, printed publications, and signage. The development of these graphic elements will be an iterative process with input from all levels. The varietal character of the units will be preserved, with a clear eye to their different collections and users. The consultant is an expert in navigational graphics in libraries, hospitals, and other buildings that can be confusing. It is hoped that this consultant will help us take advantage of the Cornell cache and develop a common sensibility, advantageous to alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
The committee then looked at the new Africana Web pages and agreed that the home page contained a very nice use of the html "tables" feature; also excellent forms. The graphic at the top of the home page is one of the most attractive so far; the Africana and Music graphics may inspire other units with existing home page graphics to upgrade theirs! Good examples of our organization developing its collective skills with Web page development.
A few new requirements for CUL pages were brought up in the succeeding discussion, namely: the library name + Cornell University should be in a prominent place at the top or the bottom of *every* Cornell library Web page (not just the home pages) so users will know where they are regardless of whether they arrived using a CUL link or a link from outside or a Web browser; each library's full mailing address and URL should be on its home page in the footer. Meryl will revise the templates to reflect these changes. There was some discussion whether html documents' titles should contain "Cornell University" to facilitate Web search engines' finding Cornell pages. Susan will talk to Tom Turner to see what he has learned about how search engines use html page titles.
Next time the committee will look at the Preservation & Conservation page, and CTS if possible. The next meeting will be in two weeks (5/21/96) in Olin 106 at 10:30am. Susan Barnes
Posted May 20, 1996
MOE