11. DISCOVERY
“Too many and often redundant links.”
“Difficult to find information.”
Users want:
Quick access to resources
Information about library facilities
The library website has become a significant aspect of the Libraries and the services provided by the libraries, as the demand and consequently number of online journals, books, and resources continues to increase. The design and user experience of the library website is critical for the libraries to provide essential services to patrons in a timely and efficient manner.
User-centered information architecture: The website content and features should be organized based on users’ goals, tasks, expectations and understandings. The library website has a wide range of users. The challenge is to realize that there are other users (e.g., potential donors, peer institutions, and alumni) and important factors (e.g., highlighting research achievements and special events) that need to be taken into account. The information architecture is essentially a balance between the majority of users’ needs and “business” requirements.
Discovery: 2 focus groups, 14 user interviews with faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.
At every step I seek feedback from developers, marketing associates, other stakeholders and users.
No survey: behavior more important than opinions.
No survey: behavior more important than opinions.
Many users learn to choose what databases to use from peers and faculty advisors. Users resort to Google Scholar partly because they have limited knowledge about databases and Google Scholar does not ask them to choose databases to begin their search.
The simple search box on the homepage of Purdue e-Archives does not present the search results as the users expected. They cannot easily see where a result is from. The advanced search works better for users because they can limit their search to particular collections. This type of knowledge/help is not well communicated on the website.
Less experienced users tend to have limited knowledge or experience with services like ILL and Ask a Librarian.
Many users learn to choose what databases to use from peers and faculty advisors. Users resort to Google Scholar partly because they have limited knowledge about databases and Google Scholar does not ask them to choose databases to begin their search.
The simple search box on the homepage of Purdue e-Archives does not present the search results as the users expected. They cannot easily see where a result is from. The advanced search works better for users because they can limit their search to particular collections. This type of knowledge/help is not well communicated on the website.
Less experienced users tend to have limited knowledge or experience with services like ILL and Ask a Librarian.
Exact item search
(publishing, archives, data)
Reorganized the content into these categories
Convey credibility with design quality and consistency
Focus on core user needs
Use clear and consistent language in labeling to increase user confidence
Promote intangibles through visual design and messaging
Convey credibility with design quality and consistency
Focus on core user needs
Use clear and consistent language in labeling to increase user confidence
Promote intangibles through visual design and messaging
Create a fresh, modern, and welcoming site, with a clear personality brand for the library;
Streamline homepage access to search functionality and core user tasks;
Create a Web site that accommodates a dynamic, continually updated online presence, with a clear emphasis on innovative library initiatives and offerings;
Design a Web site infrastructure that is flexible and nimble.