When the MSU Libraries launched its new website in August, the Digital Scholarship Lab website also got a makeover. Or more accurately, we migrated it from its original Wordpress site to the MSU Libraries website. 

As we did this work over the summer, we wanted to improve the site for our user community. Building on the past work, we kept a lot of the same pages, structures, and navigation, but made a few tweaks that we hope will help you get more quickly to the DSL services and information that you'd like to connect with.

Here's an overview of some of the changes:

1) Incorporation of tiles to high-use pages on homepage

Working with the MSU Libraries User Experience (UX) Team, these buttons were added to the homepage, identified by the frequent requests that we have for these services.

2) Redesigned spaces page

The DSL spaces are highly used, and one of our core services is responding to, managing, and consulting on our high-tech spaces. On the new spaces page, we have pathways that guide users to easily reserve group study rooms and learn more about high-tech spaces before reserving.

3) Consultation services and class support

Consulting with faculty and students on the use of technologies is another highly used service, and we developed a consultation service page and separate page that offers suggestions and guidance on bringing classes to the DSL.

4) Easily accessible list of software on the DSL computers

We frequently get questions about the software on the DSL computers. This version of the website has tile that provides quick access to an up-to-date list of specialized programs that we over on our 25 high-powered computers.

5) Incorporating news & events on our homepage

One of the main benefits of rolling our website into the MSUL website is that the events happening in and being hosted by the DSL can be featured on our homepage. In addition, we can have news stories that highlight the excellent work happening in, around, and through the DSL.

6) It is the work of many hands

The DSL Team met early in the summer to brainstorm changes we would like to see on the site. The MSU Libraries UX Team then supported us throughout the development process, while also migrating the entire MSU Libraries website. In spite of all they were juggling, the UX Team were very responsive as they designed the landing page, the tiles, site navigation, and other features. Without their assistance, it would have been impossible to migrate as quickly as we did.

We also thank the College of Arts and Letters for hosting the DSL website since 2018 and providing administrative support. The new website builds on this past work.

The website remains a work in progress and we intend to continue to improve it over the coming academic year, as we receive feedback from our user community. If you have any questions or comments about the website, feel free to contact us at DSLdesk[at]msu[dot]com.