Changes to the University Libraries' Website

In response to usability studies and accessibility testing the Web Team has made some changes to the University Libraries website. The following outlines many of the changes made.

Accessibility Features:

• Options to skip header and footer content for patrons who use assistive software to visit the site.
• Forms are not activated "onchange" via Javascript.
• More assistive software friendly search screens and results sets screens.

Cosmetic Changes to the homepage:

• New, more subtle graphic exterior photo of Wilson Library.
• Cleaner footer, with only three links to home, hours, and the UNC homepage.
• New Quicklinks Look: The text and border are brown. In older versions of Netscape, in which colored borders are not supported, the links are separated by brown pipes.
• The label for "News & Events" has been moved to the left.

Added Features:

• Link back to UNC homepage from Library homepage (top right-hand corner).
• Revised Quick Catalog Search - Added search tips in dropdown menu and link to advanced search page below search box.
• Ask-a-Librarian imagemap from homepage and most interim pages. Links to the email form, and interim pages with contact info for phone and chat.
• MyAccount imagemap links to login page for borrower account information.

Changes to language and links within the body:

• Filmfinder has been changed to FilmFinder @ House Library. This interface searches resources housed at the R.B. House Undergraduate Library.
• Link to Print Journals (Catalog Search) links to a basic catalog search page with Title and Serials preselected in the search form.

New Interim Pages to direct users to the following resources at all the libraries:

• Borrowing and Circulation
• Interlibrary Loan
• Classes, Tours & Tutorials - Integrates tutorials at all libraries and links to calendar of events at all the libraries that use MRBS to schedule events.
• Reference - Describes major reference departments and links to those that have web pages.
• Computing - Breaks links down by available resources with links to libraries that offer these services.
• Printing and Photo Services - General information about these services at the libraries with links to the libraries' web pages regarding the services.

Changes to General Information Links in Wilson Graphic (in order of display):

• Hours - Links to library hours only.
• Libraries & Collections - One list of common names (locations are in parentheses).
• Maps & Locations - Large map with library locations and links to the libraries' websites.
• About the Libraries - Links to general information about all the libraries with links to more specific information.
• Staff Directories - (Will have job titles in a future iteration)
• Department Directories now provides links to the departmental pages and email addresses for staff.
• Job Opportunities - Links to professional, staff, and student jobs at all the libraries.
• Visitor Information - Links to schedule of events, maps, directions, borrower information, and more.
• Affiliated Libraries - Links to TRLN, State and area libraries, UNC System Libraries, and more.
• E-Forms - Links to all electronic forms available to library patrons on the web.

We hope that these changes will make it easier for all our users to find the resources they need. If you have questions or concerns about the revised website, please, contact the Web Team via our web form.

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