Highlights Archives
Wisconsin Historical Society Wins Two "Webbie" Awards from the Wisconsin Library Association
The Wisconsin Historical Society's Web site has been honored with a pair of "Webbie" awards from the Wisconsin Library Association, one for "Coolest Design" and one for "Best of the Best" out of all the nominees. The awards, the first presented by the library association's media and technology section, celebrate excellence in Wisconsin Web design.
The Wisconsin Historical Society's Web site was redesigned in December 2003 to accommodate more content and new technology and accessibility standards. The new site uses a collection of databases and other standard Web tools along with new tools such as weblogs and RSS syndication to facilitate widespread content creation and use.
Among the innovations the new design help to accommodate are the digitization of the Historical Society's research collections, making more of its content available to anyone with Internet access. Examples include the rapidly growing collection of historical images available online at www.wisconsinhistory.org/whi/ and the American Journeys Web site at www.americanjourneys.org, featuring a wealth of primary source material on American exploration and settlement.
"We did the redesign for less than $15,000 in 11 months with three full-time staffers," says James Ellis, the Historical Society's Web site producer. "Compared to other state agencies, we did the work for a fraction of the cost and staff while putting together a site that dwarfs those of larger agencies. These awards were certainly a surprise, but we welcome them and thank the Wisconsin Library Association for the recognition."
The Historical Society's Web site redesign has not just attracted awards, but new users as well, with 1.4 million visits last fiscal year and an expectation of close to 1.7 million visits next fiscal year.
For a complete list of Wisconsin Library Association "Webbie" awards visit the association's Web site.
:: Posted November 23, 2004
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