In 1995, the IFLA Section on Information technology launched a project to
develop a set of standard icons for use in OPACS, websites and database
user interfaces. It was anticipated that these icons might be used in
toolbars or in other appropriate locations in a user interface to represent
a set of standard functions that would be recognizable in any language
interface. This is similar in concept to the icons that have been developed
for traffic control and other common activities worldwide. While the
original intention was to develop a set that might become an ISO standard,
it has been determined that a "best practice" database is more useful at
this time. The IFLA Icon Set was widely vetted among many international
organizations and the final set collected over 4,000 votes from 300 people
in 18 countries. The icon set is available for reference or downloading.
IFLA SIT also welcomes comments. It has also been suggested that vendors
may wish to contribute icons to the list.
The website for the Icon set is http://www.scran.ac.uk/iconstd/. It
includes a full description of each icon and a downloadable version of the
icon as well as a background of the project. We welcome your input and comments
Larry Woods
Director, Health Sciences and Information Technology
Head, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, IA 52242-1420
(319) 335-5867 (319) 335-5900 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
|