Information Technology

Even though it may seem like the library site has had our current look for some time, in fact, it has gone through many iterations. Let’s take a look back courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Click on each image to view it full size in a new window.

April 4, 2004

• This is the earliest version captured by the Internet Archive.
• The focus is clearly on pointing users to resources in the library catalog and to articles available from research databases, or the newly launched alphatical E-Journals list.
• The layout is fairly uncluttered with generous white space; graphics are minimal.

August 26, 2004

 

• The header has a new scarlet-colored square graphic and a larger font size.
• The layout is not changed, but this example illustrates how higher priority alerts are emphasised with red font.
• Users have the option to use the new alphabetical E-Journals list or continue to use an older version.

August 4, 2005

• Big changes came in 2005. While retaining the three-column layout, two navigation bars have been added: a simple OSU navigation bar at the top with a search box, and a library-centric nav bar below the header with several drop-down options.
• The graphics are larger and help to balance out the increasing number of links users can select.
• The catalog and article search boxes are still a major focus, but lower in priority than in previous versions.

 October 27, 2006

• Graphics take a much bigger role in this version of the library home page.
• High contrast colors and fonts varying in both size and style are hard to ignore.
• The various graphics fight for attention with the ever-increasing number of links listed in the Quicklinks and News sections.

 April 5, 2007

• A new feature, WorldCat.org Beta, is added as the third option in the Find Books tab, but users can still search  the library catalog from the home page.
• Graphics are subtle and balanced.
• A new category, Lectures/Programs, has been added to market events.

 February 21, 2008

• Yet another search feature has been added: OSU Libraries Web Site Search, just below the main search box.
• Search OSU and Beyond is now the primary source of search for resources from the home page.

 June 29, 2008

 

• With a new pop of blue color, the search box jumps from two tabbed options to four.
• The local catalog is again available to search from the home page, and bound with Search OSU and Beyond from the default Books tab.
• Users are invited to “Test our pilot search.”

 January 29, 2010

• The search box has been demoted to promote a new Multi Database Search.
• The database search is boxed in and has it’s own graphic.
• Below the library navigation bar, users are invited to help design the new library home page.
• Framed in scarlet, users are alerted about the forthcoming site changes.

May 7, 2010

• And the new website is revealed!  The green library-centric navigation bar combines the previous sections News, Exhibitions and Lectures/Programs into one category: News & Events.  
• New categories are added with multiple tabbed options. On the right column: Links, Popular, and Suggested, (to replace what was once called Quicklinks)  and Ask Us (once called Services).
• At the bottom of the page are additional tabs: Featured News, Exhibits, News, Blog Highlights and Tressel Book.
• The Search box allows direct searching of the  catalog only. With additional clicks, users can search articles, online journals, WorldCat Local, and library web pages.

 June 24, 2011

• The more expected scarlet and gray toned color scheme replaces the green and gold.
• The Search box is reconfigured into multiple tabs options.
• The  option to Search this Site is in the header to make it accessible from any library page.
• Users are invitated to provide feedback on the new site.
• A weighted word cloud list of links is available on the right side bar.

• The most recent interation of the library site with the latest ‘block O’ branding in the header.
• The Search All tab  (searching WorldCat Local) is still the default choice, but now placed to the far left, as users would expect.
• A Reference tab (searching the Credo database) has been add to search box
• Graphics play a prominent role in the sidebars and lower half of the page.

What do you think about the way the library page has changed over the years?