Making sense of an academic library web site: Toward a more usable interface for university researchers
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2008
Abstract
Library patrons familiar with Web searching conventions often find library searching to be less familiar and even intimidating. This article describes and evaluates a series of usability research studies employing two different and popular methodologies: user-centered redesign and usability testing. Card sorting and affinity mapping were used to conceptualize how information should be classified and presented on the library’s main page. Usability scenarios and think-aloud protocols were used to explore how students, especially those new to the campus, conceptualize the information-seeking process and how they go about conducting a search. Participants included library employees, university faculty, staff, and students. These methods can be replicated by any library, large or small, and demonstrate that even small-scale usability evaluations can improve patrons’ understanding of and access to library resources. © 2008 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Publication Title
Journal of Web Librarianship
Recommended Citation
Kitalong, K.,
Hoeppner, A.,
&
Scharf, M.
(2008).
Making sense of an academic library web site: Toward a more usable interface for university researchers.
Journal of Web Librarianship,
2(2-3), 177-204.
http://doi.org/10.1080/19322900802205742
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/9504