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 • 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
Before re-design: 2 ‘home’ pages before
Methodology Four pillars: user types, user tasks, content & current problems
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
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
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. . .
Design: wireframes • User tasks • Home page items • Web conventions • Frequency of use per task By Many easy to find Frequent few clicks By Few more hidden Easy to find and More hidden but few clicks Occasional Easy to find but More hidden & more clicks
Design: wireframes
Three designs • Three different information layouts • Three different colour schemes • Implemented using fully accessible templates • Consultation of Library staff: choice!
Three designs 3 designs
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. .
Modified design home page modified
Search forms for Library items books, journals, etc.
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
Discount usability testing: set-up Meeting room, 2 observers, projector participant observer
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
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 .
Final design Content added to address underlying issues 'Can we help? ' 'Ten seconds top tips' 'UG/PG support' 'after'
Challenges • Consultation culture • Library had no previous usability • • projects Limited budget & resources Academic year cycle Involvement disabled students Philosophy about student learning?
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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