Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Libraries [Workshop/Course]
(Team teaching with MSU research team including: Kenning Arlitsch, Patrick O’Brien, Scott Young, and Jason Clark)
Being found in commercial search engines, like Google, and writing indexable content have largely been on the periphery of library web development practice. In this course/workshop, we will explore the mechanics and principles of acceptable best practices for SEO, identify components that contribute to successful harvesting of library web sites and microsites, and discuss the need to make library content findable in broader online settings. Come learn why SEO is not just “snake oil” and can be an integral part of library marketing and outreach initiatives.
Topics:
web analytics, creating indexable content, understanding search engines, engineering findability, the business case for SEO, distinguishing between acceptable and unacceptable SEO
indexable content have largely been on the periphery of library web development practice. In this course/workshop, we will explore the mechanics and principles of acceptable best practices for SEO, identify components that contribute to successful harvesting of library web sites and microsites, and discuss the need to make library content findable in broader online settings. Come learn why SEO is not just “snake oil” and can be an integral part of library marketing and outreach initiatives.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the difference between acceptable best practices for SEO and unacceptable SEO.
- Learn how bots create the web index for your web sites.
- Learn how to apply the basic activities around acceptable best practices for SEO.
- Learn how to conduct SEO keyword and topic research
- Learn how to set up Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools to measure SEO success and diagnose SEO problems.
- Know how to create a business case for SEO work in your library
Who Should Attend
- Web developers and System Administrators with some web management experience
- Any librarian interested in web analytics and building findable content for the web
Course Level & Prerequisites
Participants should know how to use a text editor and a current standard Web Browser. Some basic knowledge of HTML will be helpful
Instructor(s)
Team teaching with MSU research team including: Kenning Arlitsch, Patrick O’Brien, Scott Young, and Jason Clark
Date(s) & Time(s)
10:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m.(CDT)
July 17 – Best Practices and “Why do SEO?” intro
July 18 – Semantic Markup and Structured Data for SEO
July 21 – SEO Analytics
July 23 – Emerging SEO Techniques
Fee
LITA Member: $135
ALA Member: $195
Non-member: $260
Moodle login info will be sent to registrants the week prior to the start date.
Technical Requirements
A Moodle-developed site will include weekly asynchronous lectures and is composed of self-paced modules with facilitated interaction led by the instructor. Students regularly use the forum and chat room functions to facilitate their class participation.
The course web site will be open for 1 week prior to the start date for students to have access to Moodle instructions and set their browser correctly. The course site will remain open for 90 days after the end date for students to refer back to course material
How to Register
Register Online (membership login is required)
OR
Contact ALA Registration: call 1-800-545-2433 and press 5 or emailregistration@ala.org or submit print registration form [PDF]
Contact
For questions about registration, contact ALA Registration: call 1-800-545-2433 and press 5 or email registration@ala.org.
For all other questions or comments related to the course, contact LITA at (312) 280-4269 or lita@ala.org.
Sponsor
LITA