| Abstract: | This study examined the homepages of the libraries of 175 smaller bachelor of arts institutions, coding for the presence of 98 design elements. By reporting and examining the frequency of these features, the authors noted what is and is not common practice at these libraries. They found that only fourteen elements were present on at least half of the homepages studied. The most common elements were hours, a link to the university homepage, interlibrary loan, library instruction/tutorials/guides, a staff directory, an “about section,” and a “contact librarian” link. The large degree of variability in design demonstrates the unsettled nature of academic library homepage design, at least among smaller institutions, and makes it difficult for designers of such pages to follow a standard set of practices. |
