New ACRL publication: Design Talk
Contact: Kathryn J. Deiss
ACRL Content Strategist
(312) 280-2529
NEWS
For Immediate Release
January 6, 2009
CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has released  a new publication, “Design Talk: Understanding the Roles of Usability Practitioners, Web Designers, and Web Developers in User-Centered Web Design,” by Brenda Reeb, coordinator of the Web usability program at the University of Rochester Libraries.
“Design Talk” focuses on the interactions between the various roles in Web site development, delineating the scope of responsibilities and activities of usability practitioners, designers and developers. The book sheds light on the benefits of understanding the differences between these roles and how they work together to create user-friendly Web sites. “Design Talk” provides descriptions of, and instructions for conducting, different types of usability tests along with in-depth discussion of Web design issues.
Reeb’s workpresents an alternative to Web design by committee and is suitable for those with a vested interest in Web content, including reference librarians, usability practitioners and Web design professionals. Library administrators who want to create clearer lines of authority among staff participating in the Web design process will also find the book useful.
“Design Talk” is available for purchase through the ALA Online Store (
http://www.alastore.ala.org), by telephone order at (866) 746-7252 in the U.S. or (770) 442-8633 for international customers and will be available at the 2009 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Denver.
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ACRL is a division of the American Library Association, representing nearly 13,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to meet the unique needs of academic and research librarians. Its initiatives enable the higher education community to understand the role that academic libraries play in the teaching, learning and research environments.
