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

• Interviews, training sessions• Tasks Quickpoll: open question -

quantitative data• 25 recurring tasks• 50% 'search for an item'

50% of items = books

Analysis: tasks

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

By Fewmore hidden

Frequentfew clicks

Easy to find and few clicks

More hidden but few clicks

Occasionalmore clicks

Easy to find but more clicks

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

observer

observer

participant

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 wehelp?'

'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