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An introduction to usability for library web managers

Sarah AgarwalConsultant Project ManagerInternet Development group (ID)

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What I’m going to cover:

• what is usability?• a live usability test!• two quick case studies• about us

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What is usability?

Definitions

What do users want to use library websites for? MLANET example

Is this really relevant for non-commercial sites? The government thinks so…

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Statistics

(old) 1997: ‘Forrester Research audited 20 major sites, finding 51% compliance with simple Web usability principles such as “is the site organised by user goals?”’…

(new) 60% of government websites in need of immediate attention

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Quick usability test:

Three tasks:1. Find the phone number for the reference

desk. Task: ‘Find contacts’2. Find out if book ‘Easy way to stop smoking’

is in stock, and reserve. Task: ‘Find books’3. Audience suggestion????Test on 3 random libraries

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Quick case studies

1. BBC Research Central

2. Kansas City Public Library

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Kansas City Public Library

Techniques used:• Log analysis• ‘Cognitive walkthrough’• User testing

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More techniques:

• Focus groups, surveys and chats• Usability evaluation• Competitive review More advanced techniques:• Card-sorting• Eye-tracking

You only need to get 5 users!

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About us - ILRT

www.ilrt.bris.ac.uk

• digital libraries• e-learning • digital imaging• Internet Development (ID) - consultancy• semantic web

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About us - ID

Consultancy arm www.ilrt.bris.ac.uk/id• Web application development:

– Content Management Systems, portals, booking systems, online survey technology

• Websites• Graphic design• Usability and accessibility• E-learning applications

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Questions?