Information Services Advisory Group
Web Guidelines Adopted by ISAG for the Heard Library Adopted 10/20/97
These guidelines fall into two categories: the first includes general guidelines that have been drawn from the Vanderbilt University Web Committee’s draft of recommendations. The second includes specific guidelines that would create more uniformity among the divisional library pages.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Hallmarks of good web copy: thematic organization, clarity, brevity, accuracy in spelling and grammar
Pages should be reviewed regularly for broken links, information update needs, and design changes.
Limit page lengths to one or two screens; break up longer documents by creating a contents page with appropriate links.
Keep site hierarchy as flat as possible; navigating too many levels to retrieve information can be frustrating - 3 levels is often cited as a desirable standard.
Any graphical link page, such as one dependent upon image map links, should have the links duplicated in text form on the first page.
If using an image map, keep it below 30K in size. Clearly delineate the click-able regions - good example is the use of button bars.
Use small graphics. Graphics should not exceed 620 pixels in width. Graphics should ideally be kept below 30K in size.
Netscape extensions that do not conform to current standards should be avoided.
Test your pages on a variety of browsers (Netscape, MS Internet Explorer, etc.) and platforms (monitor differences, for example.)
Avoid backgrounds that will in any way interfere with the readability of the text. (This is a particular problem for users with low-end video cards. Backgrounds that seem readable on library staff monitors are often not readable to many patrons. Some browsers cannot read certain backgrounds and will not display any of the text as a result.)
Specific guidelines related to uniformity for divisional pages
Footer that includes the elements below should appear at the bottom of each page (see examples.)
Each divisional library home page should contain the following information on the first screen:
"A division of the Jean and Alexander Heard Library, Vanderbilt University"
This information could appear as free text or as part of an image or logo.
For home pages within the library system that are not related to true "divisions", the statement can vary according to the appropriate relationship to the Heard Library and Vanderbilt University (i.e. Special Collections and Resource Services.)
The home page should prominently feature the following three links, although the language may vary:
Additional links are optional.
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