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Catherine Brys (catherinebrys@yahoo.co.uk) Morag Greig (m.greig@lib.gla.ac.uk)

Improving the usability of a University Library web site: user research, analysis, design and usability testing. Catherine Brys (catherinebrys@yahoo.co.uk) Morag Greig (m.greig@lib.gla.ac.uk) University of Glasgow. Project background & aims.

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Catherine Brys (catherinebrys@yahoo.co.uk) Morag Greig (m.greig@lib.gla.ac.uk)

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  1. Improving the usability of a University Library web site: user research, analysis, design and usability testing Catherine Brys (catherinebrys@yahoo.co.uk) Morag Greig (m.greig@lib.gla.ac.uk) University of Glasgow

  2. Project background & aims • Glasgow University Library web site & third-party catalogue web application • Improve usability & accessibility • Re-design organisation-centered web site into user-centered (task-centered) site

  3. Before re-design: 2 ‘home’ pages before

  4. Methodology Four pillars: user types, user tasks, content & current problems

  5. User & stakeholder investigation • Library staff interviews • Training sessions for students by Library staff • User Quickpolls: problems, tasks • Web User Panel: problems • User Observation sessions: problems in context

  6. Analysis: main problems • Often used items not prominent • Library item searches confusing • Information hard to find (users & Lib staff) • Grouping and labels (acronyms, jargon, organisation-centered site) • Presentation: unattractive, cluttered

  7. Analysis: tasks • Interviews, training sessions • Tasks Quickpoll: open question - quantitative data • 25 recurring tasks • 50% 'search for an item' 50% of items = books Task-centered home page & forms to search by item type ...

  8. Design: wireframes • User tasks • Home page items • Web conventions • Frequency of use per task

  9. Design: wireframes

  10. Three designs • Three different information layouts • Three different colour schemes • Implemented using fully accessible templates • Consultation of Library staff: choice!

  11. Three designs 3 designs

  12. Staff and User Panel feedback Library staff: feedback on 3 designs info layout 1 preferred User Panel: feedback on design 1: • Too much info • Colours Work with graphic designer: • Colour scheme • Column layout ..

  13. Modified design home page modified

  14. Search forms for Library items books, journals, etc.

  15. Discount usability testing • Aim: test home page & search forms (book, journal, etc.) • Budget max £500 • Pre-defined tasks • Criteria for selection participants – correlation • Round 1: 6 users; round 2: 5 users; round 3: disabled users • 'Dummy' links to try out ideas

  16. Meeting room, 2 observers, projector Discount usability testing: set-up participant observer observer

  17. Results of usability testing (1) • Information Architecture & design effective • Labels and grouping clear – few added/changed • Search for books, journals, etc.: new search forms effective – frequent tasks for many users

  18. Results of usability testing (2) • Underlying issues identified: • How to research a topic • Understanding a journal article reference • 'Google effect' • Some undergraduates very impatient – don’t read labels on forms, just dive in .

  19. Final design Content added to address underlying issues 'Can wehelp?' 'Ten seconds top tips' 'UG/PG support' 'after'

  20. Challenges • Consultation culture • Library had no previous usability projects • Limited budget & resources • Academic year cycle • Involvement disabled students • Philosophy about studentlearning?

  21. Lessons learned • Quickpolls & User Panel effective (research, first cut) • User research powerful in getting Library staff buy-in • Using high-fidelity prototypes & trying out ideas effective • Involving colleagues in usability testing: awareness; advocacy

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