We work hard when working together a website or blog. When I get absorbed in the work, I think of the eventual viewers in the abstract, considering how it might appear to them or whether I'm getting across what I hoped, but what we actually need are ways to get feedback from individual users on what they want when they visit the library or website, whether they they were able to accomplish that, and what we can do better to make that happen. Feedback can shed light on where we've confused users by using terms clear and comfortable to us, but that can have different meanings in the real, non-library world. It also can be uncomfortable in that we're inviting the negative views, too-- we'll have to hear from those who don't think we're doing a good job or who might criticize something we prided ourselves on as a good idea. Asking for feedback on a library sites requires that we consider the feedback we're sent, consider whether we can or should change how we've been doing things, and send back a polite response to those who ask for (or demand) things we can't do.
We have a form on our site to Make a Suggestion. We also have our e-mail address prominent at the top of the site. Both welcome visitors to comment, but aren't actively inviting them to do so. What ways have you found to encourage feedback, to let users know that you want to hear their thoughts?
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