PERMA (Public ERM Access)
Web Page Design Specifications
DRAFT
November 12, 2004
Now that page design for the database services no longer needs to accommodate the needs of the other TUG Libraries, Waterloo can modify the look of these pages to fit in with existing pages and reformat the pages to meet accessibility requirements. This document contains the specifications that will guide the design of the Library’s new ERM web pages for Research Databases, Electronic Journals and Electronic Reference materials.
General Specifications:
These general specifications apply to all pages created to deliver the database services.
- The need to make these pages more accessible for adaptive technologies and to meet UW accessibility requirements requires that all pages be developed using W3C XHTML Transitional (or better) for coding and and Cascading Style Sheets for display.
- To facilitate efficient creation and maintenance the pages should use Dreamweaver templates to identify editable and non-editable regions
- The pages should fit in with the overall look of the Library’s web site and be guided by general UW campus wide web standards and site design (See http://www.findoutmore.uwaterloo.ca/index.php and linked pages).
- Glossary tags should be explored for wherever definitions of terms used on the page might be appropriate (must be valid XHTML).
- A consistent presentation of Help page popups should be instituted for all services (For example, a consistent Help page Title something like “Title Page – Help”)
- A “Refworks” link should be available on the Electronic Journals and Research database pages.
- An “Ask a Librarian” button consistent with the branding of this service elsewhere on the Library’s web site should be available.
Research databases Specifications:
These specifications apply to pages created to deliver the Research Databases Service.
- The database service previously named Indexes and Databases will be renamed to “Research Databases” which more accurately reflects its content and include further text explanations including
- Find citations for journal articles, books and dissertations
- Access the full text of journal articles
- Search collections of classical, literary, and historical texts.
- Links to current trials if any are active and links to new databases (last 6 months) should be provided
- A space for important news which may or may not be in use should be available.
- An electronic reference (Ask a Librarian) link should be present on the page.
- Since there are only a limited number of Indexes and Databases, a single page should be used for the top page which includes an alphabetic listing of all research databases.
- There should be an alphabetic TOC to the resources on the page.
- Links to the Guelph and Laurier Index and Database services should be provided.
- Category subject links visible at a glance
- Links to the popular databases should be available.
- Each page should contain spam proof contact information.
- The More Information pages, create on the fly, also require redesign.
- A link to Research Starting Points should be provided
Display Fields
The following field of information should be displayed if present in a record.
- title - The title of the resource.
- moreinfo - The moreinfo code links the More Information data (see: ERM_More_Information) to the resource.
- availability - This element is used to communicate that the resource is temporarily not available until the date and/or time specified in the text. Unlike the status code, this field can be used to leave the information that the resource exists in the resource listings but convey to the user the information that there is a temporary problem.
- trial - The date after which the resource is no longer in a trial condition.
- description - A textual description of the specific research database.
- coverage - This field is used to describe the chronological coverage of the research database if appropriate.
- annotation - This field is used to annotate the journal index. Information in this field should be used to indicate to the user the content of the specific index.
- provider/publisher name - The corporate name of the provider or publisher.
Electronic Journals Specifications:
These specifications apply to pages created to deliver the Electronic Journals Service.
- The title for the page should be just “Electronic Journals”
- The count of the current UW holdings for electronic journals should be retained.
- A space for news which may or may not be used at any one time should be prominently displayed.
- The Citation Linker form should be available for those users with a specific article citation or journal title (on the Article SFX option is needed)
- Subject access should still be included but it should be labeled “List Journal Titles by Subject” and should be scannable at a glance.
- A link to the Research Databases service with an explanation of their role in locating articles should be prominent.
- A quick search should be present but drop the All fields and subject search types and make Journal Title the default.
- A search results portion for the results page should be present to tell the user the results of their search and where they are currently as they scroll through the results set.
- The “starts with” or alphabetic access by tile listing access should be retained.
- Links to the Guelph and Laurier Electronic Journals pages should be provided.
- An Additions and deletions similar to the Research Databases page should be present. (This will require a redesign of the Additions and deletions with UW only)
- The moving wall explanation page requires redesign
- The advanced search is not needed for the public but an advanced search capability should be retained for Library staff.
- A link to licensing information which explains to the user the restriction required for the delivery of these services (See IRMC) should be available.
Display Fields
The following field of information should be displayed if present in a record.
- title - The title of the resource.
- availability - This element is used to communicate that the resource is temporarily not available until the date and/or time specified in the text. Unlike the status code, this field can be used to leave the information that the resource exists in the resource listings but convey to the user the information that there is a temporary problem.
- trial - The date after which the resource is no longer in a trial condition.
- prevviousID - This field is used to link this eJournal record to another eJournal record that comes before it in a series. There are no processing implications and the field may not be needed in the new system.
- subsequentID - This field is used to link this eJournal record to another eJournal record that comes after it in a series. There are no processing implications and the field may not be needed in the new system.
- publicNote - This is a note field that will be displayed to the public whenever this record is displayed.
- holdingsData - This is the holdings data statement.
- movingWallExclusion – A note of the time of the moving wall exclusion with a link to Help page.
- provider/publisher name - The corporate name of the provider or publisher.
- otherdescription - The human readable description of an alternate access address. This field becomes the link that the user sees for alternate access.
Electronic Reference Specifications:
These specifications apply to pages created to deliver the Electronic Reference Service.
- The database service previously named Electronic Reference Collection will be renamed to just “Electronic Reference” and include the following text explanations
Note:It was felt that a description of the objective of the page may be unnecessary. It was also felt that subject access is not necessary but it may still be useful a access for the discipline pages.
- Access online reference sources
- Find answers to quick factual questions
- Browse a category below or search keywords and phrases
- A place for the submission of suggestion and comments should be available.
- The quick search for items in the eReference collection should be retained.
- The search help page needs redesign.
- The single visible display of all categories of items should be retained.
Display Fields
The following field of information should be displayed if present in a record.
- title - The title of the resource
- availability - This element is used to communicate that the resource is temporarily not available until the date and/or time specified in the text. Unlike the status code, this field can be used to leave the information that the resource exists in the resource listings but convey to the user the information that there is a temporary problem.
- trial - The date after which the resource is no longer in a trial condition.
- annotation - A free text field used to annotate the record. Displayed to the user.
- printEquiv - A field used to indicate whether there is a print equivalent to this item.
- pqTitle - If there is a print equivalent, this is the title of the print version.
Combined Electronic Resource Retrieval Specifications:
These specifications apply to pages created to deliver a combined subject search across all the ERM resource types. This would be an entirely new access method for these materials.
NOTE: This service also has the potential to deliver lists of related material to the librarians discipline pages eliminating the need for constantly updating their pages. These lists would be updated dynamically.
- The service will be titled "EResources"
- There will be two access method available on the page.
- A Citation linker form for those users after a specific article or Ejournal title (See SFX form ( http://sfx.scholarsportal.info/citation/waterloo). Use only the article form because it will work for articles as well as journal titles.
- A Category / Subject display with all option available at a glance for those users who start with just a general subject requirement.
- There should be a Limit by Type option where a user can select a subject search for all types of resources or through checkboxes one or more type. The types are Ejournals, Resource Databases and Electronic Reference)
Display Fields
For display fields see above under each resource type. The display will include the results of searches for each resource type.
If you have any queries or concerns about this page, please contact .
November 10, 2006
