harvard library portal information architecture - draft may 16, 2012

Harvard Library Portal

Information Architecture - DRAFT

May 16, 2012

- 2 -

Table of Contents

Introduction 3

- Purpose of this Document 4

Information Architecture Introduction 5

- Purpose of the Information Architecture 6

- Portal context diagram 7

Information Architecture Methodology 8

- Review of Library Websites 9

- Lessons Learned 13

- Card Sorting Analysis 14

- User Personas 16

Information Architecture Model 17

- Design Approach 18

- Information Architecture Summary 19

- Information Architecture Detail 20

- Information Architecture Mapping 21

- Next Steps 27

- 3 -

Introduction

- 4 -

Purpose of this Document

The purpose of this document is to describe the methodology, findings and outcome of the Information Architecture component of the User Experience work stream.

The methodology followed to design the Information Architecture is based on industry best practice and Deloitte’s experience in developing similar work deliverables for other organizations.

The Information Architecture Model contained in this document will continue to be iteratively refined as additional feedback is obtained throughout the second phase of the Harvard University Library Portal Project. The Information Architecture will continue to be a living document and design work product that will require continuous review and enhancement as the portal evolves over time.

- 5 -

Information Architecture Introduction

- 6 -

Purpose of the Information ArchitectureAn Information Architecture provides the structure for organizing or categorizing content on a web property or website.

The Information Architecture is used to develop the navigational components of the website (home page, landing pages and sub-pages). It is used to tag content assets that are surfaced on the website and this tagging or classification of content assets is leveraged by search engines to enable end user search and retrieval activities.

Good Information Architecture design follows several basic principles:

User centricity – the terminology and categories created are designed to fit the end user’s perspective (as opposed the organization’s view and/or corporate structure)

Mutual exclusivity – the categories are mutually exclusive, as far as possible, to reduce the chance of misinterpretation

Simplicity – a minimal number of primary categories is preferred so as to ease end user comprehension

The Information Architecture should anticipate the most common end user activities so that the website is intuitive. The Portal Context Diagram that follows illustrates some of these end user activities and how the portal itself integrates with and is supported by other library websites, systems and search tools.

- 7 -

Portal Context DiagramWhat is a Portal?In the web world, a portal is a website that gives users easy access to a vast array of resources and information, that usually resides in disparate systems. Good portals also give a user a unified User Experience and brand across these multiple resources

- 8 -

Information Architecture Methodology

- 9 -

MethodologyIn developing the Information Architecture, several key activities were undertaken and are documented in the following slides:

Review of Library Websites

Card Sorting

User Persona Development

In addition, the Functional Requirements provided by Harvard also informed the development of the Information Architecture.

Library stakeholders were engaged throughout these design activities. Working artifacts, such as Personas, and the Information Architecture Model were reviewed by the Working Group. During the next phase of the project, Wireframe Review sessions and Usability Testing will validate the Information Architecture and provide an opportunity for final enhancement prior to the summer 2012 portal launch.

Feedback was solicited from the Library Working Group and incorporated into a revised Information Architecture Baseline

- 10 -

Review of Select Library WebsitesParallel to the user interviews, the project team reviewed select leading higher education and non-academic library websites, analyzing their Information Architecture and navigational design elements. This research was used to inform the card sorting exercises as well as the Information Architecture and Wireframes for the new portal.

Higher Education Libraries

Cornell University Library MIT Libraries

UCLA Library Syracuse University Library

Hesburgh Library (U. of Notre Dame)

Yale University Library

University of Texas Library Princeton University Library

Stanford University Libraries NCSU Libraries

California Polytechnic State University Library

University of British Columbia Library

Non-Academic Libraries

New York Public Library

Library of Congress

Arlington Public Library

British Library

JFK Presidential Library and Museum

National Library of Australia

The European Library

- 11 -

Review of Select Library Websites continued

Feature Description %

Single Search BoxSingle search box for library resources that often has tab listing of library media types (e.g. Books, Articles, Journals, Web Content, etc.)

90%

Global Navigation A global navigation menu bar that persists throughout the site 80%

Bread Crumb Navigation This feature helps users keep track of their location on all site pages 75%

Help (global navigation category)Help content including ask a librarian, and FAQs are offered to the library stakeholders as a category on the global navigation menu bar

70%

About the Libraries (global navigation category)

Information about library organization as a category on the global navigation menu bar 70%

Libraries and Collections (global navigation category)

Information about the different libraries and collections as a category on the global navigation menu bar

60%

Library Services (global navigation category)Library services that are offered to the library stakeholders as a category on the global navigation menu bar

55%

Research (global navigation category)Access to research resources and support as a category on the global navigation menu bar

30%

Search Access to searching library resources as a category on the global navigation menu bar 30%

News, Events (global navigation category) Access to library news and events as a category on the global navigation menu bar 30%

Hours and Maps (global navigation category) "Hours and Maps" or "Hours" as a category on the global navigation menu bar 25%

My Account (global navigation category) Access to library stakeholders’ individual library accounts as a category on the global navigation menu bar

20%

The review of selected library websites revealed several common design features and navigational elements. The table below lists the most common features across the various sites along with the percentage of sites using that feature. This data informed the card sorting exercises and the design of the Information Architecture.

- 12 -

Review of Select Library Websites continuedThe review of selected library websites revealed a range of design approaches from text heavy and feature rich to simple and feature lacking. In the middle we found sites that were image-heavy above the fold and text heavy below the fold.

Text Heavy, Feature Rich Simple, Feature Lacking Image/Text Balance

The recommended approach for Harvard is to balance visual simplicity with rich functionality. The final layout will be influenced by feedback gathered from multiple reviews with Harvard users

- 13 -

Review of Select Library Websites – Lessons Learned

Some of the key findings as a result of the library websites review were:

A single search box for searching all library resources was very common (90% of sites). This was generally segmented by media type (e.g. book, article, journal) and would display results within the selected media type in a new window

These disparate search results pages were often re-branded with the parent site’s look and feel

A persistent global navigation and bread-crumb navigation were both common (80% and 75% of sites respectively) – this is also an industry best practice

“Help’”, “About the Libraries”, “ Libraries and Collections”, and “Library Services” were the most common global navigation categories (70%, 70%, 60%, 55% respectively). The category names varied slightly across the reviewed sites

Search and Research were often used interchangeably as a global navigation category. Collectively they were used as a global navigation category across 60% of the reviewed sites

Prominent location of Search and Discovery widgets segmented by clear, distinct media types

A trend towards dynamic featured content – a trend we also see in commercial websites

Non-academic libraries focus on engaging websites that follow graphical industry trends

Room for improvement in reaching audience through social media – this is a current web trend where library websites are lagging

Successful content rich home pages have widgets that allow users to change the content type displayed on the page

These lessons learned helped inform the card sorting and wireframe design activities

- 14 -

Card Sorting AnalysisBased on the review of higher education and non-academic library websites, a collection of categories and content items were identified to be used in the card sorting activities

Purpose of Card Sorting Exercises

• There can be any number of ways to organize content items into logical categories to facilitate more intuitive content navigation and discovery.

• Card sorting exercises allow the present or future users of a system define key categories and place content items into those categories. Patterns emerge which help understand how these users view the content.

Card Sorting Approach

Two types of card sorting activities were performed online with Harvard students, faculty, library staff, and other staff.

1. Open Sort – In the first round of card sorting, participants were given a list of content items based on the content currently housed within the existing Harvard Library Portal and additional content areas documented in the requirements and user requests. Participants then organized these content items in a logical way and named the resulting categories.

2. Closed Sort – Leveraging the results of the open card sort and the review of selected library websites, categories were defined and content items were condensed and renamed. Participants then organized the content items into the pre-defined categories.

- 15 -

Card Sorting Analysis continued

Open Card Sort Results

• The large number of content items (62) was overwhelming

• The existing terminology on the site was confusing to users and required explanation

• There was a lack of consistent categories defined by the participants

• Several requests to place one content item in multiple categories due to their importance to the research process

Closed Card Sort Results

• Category results were much more consistent across participants

• Research category was too broad and contained too many items, split category into two smaller, more focused categories

The key categories identified as a result of this exercise were:

1. Search

2. Research Support & Tools

3. Libraries & Collections

4. About the Library

5. Help

- 16 -

User Personas

User personas were developed help to paint a clear picture of typical target user groups and describe how/why they will be using the Library Portal. Personas also help in determining key user goals, tasks, and they help inform the IA. Five key Library portal personas were defined based on user feedback

Persona Description

Experienced Researcher

This persona understands how to leverage the Library Portal for research and expects the Library Portal to provide targeted knowledge acquisition. This persona has a defined/refined research process, and expects quick and easy access to research information and library services.

Novice ResearcherThis persona is new to research, and requires quick ramp-up and awareness of resource alternatives. Their research process is an ongoing balance of discovery, and learning the tools and resources available at Harvard.

Educator

This persona is aware of how to find library resources, and consequently communicates and provides support to others. He/she plans, collaborates and understands how to procure needed resources. This persona is generally a secondary or supporting role to research, or characterized by working with others to develop educational /learning information, tutorials, and research guides for end users.

ExplorerThis persona is oriented towards the discovery of new content, and generally uses the Library Portal to browse for information. The persona tends to be less familiar with library resources and spends majority of time in discovery mode.

Information SeekerThis persona has a particular research interest that he/she would like to leverage the Library Portal for. He/she often seeks specific information about the library, library services, hours, locations, access and resource availability.

* Faculty members, undergraduate students, graduate students, library staff and external researchers can be described by one or more persona and may approach using the Library Portal from different personal perspectives depending

upon the task at hand

- 17 -

Information Architecture Model

- 18 -

Information Architecture Structure

The Information Architecture Model follows on the next several pages. The first view of the Model is a high level summary of the Information Architecture consisting of 5 categories and their associated pages. A detailed view of the Information Architecture follows depicting the types of users that will access the site, the personas that those users assume when using the site, categories, pages, sub pages, secondary content, and external sources, all defined below.

Various end-users of the site that are embodied by an individual person

The personality or mindset that a person may have, and embody in their interactions with the site. Users may function as multiple personas in a given session or across their interactions

Key content or topic areas that users might be seeking. Generally Action or Process oriented

Uses or questions that users are looking to solve as part of the Action or Process

Main categorization of content

Key components of the core content area (internal to the portal)

Key components of the core content area (external to the portal)

Other Actions or information people tend to associate with this particular Action (secondary relationships found within card sorting and user research)

Other sources outside of the portal that are supportive or related to the ActionExternal

Goals

Users

Category

Page

Secondary Content

Internal Sub Page

Personas

Internal Sub Page

- 19 -

Harvard Library Information Architecture - Summary

Search About the LibraryResearch Support

and ToolsLibraries and CollectionsCategory

Research Support

Depository

Library Operations

Library Technology Services

Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages

Research Tools Find a Library

Staff Directory

Catalogs and Databases

Preservation Services

Mission

HOLLIS

Page

Report a Problem

Archives & Collections

Collection Profile Pages

Digital Collections

Staff Resources73 Library Profile Pages

Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources

Help Finding Materials

Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver

E-Resources Archive Profile Pages

Harvard Library Resources

Calendar, News, Events

Internal Sub Page

HOLLIS Classic

Programs and Initiatives

Help

Support for Users with Disabilities

For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information

Access and Technology Questions

Ask a Librarian

Technology and Devices

Space

Contribute your Research

Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX

Search Beyond Harvard

Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Library Transition

Library Innovation

Library Digital Initiative

Tell Us

External Sub Page

- 20 -

Harvard Library Information Architecture - Detail

Search About the LibraryResearch Support and Tools

Individual Library Pages

Databases and Collections

External Harvard.edu Social Media Sources

Donation page

Goals

Libraries and CollectionsCategoryHow do I organize myself

How do I find contentIs the content relevant

Where do I beginWhat do I do next

What resources are availableWhat else should I viewWhen should I reach outIs there an easier way

I’m stuck, what nowHow do I learn more about…

Who can help meI can’t find it

Who do I contactWhere do I go

What are my alternativesShould I talk to a LibrarianHow do I connect with…

Can “I” get itHow do I locate it

How do I acquire itWho do I talk to

Where do I goWhat amenities are available

When is it availableHow do I get there

What else is availableAre there other approaches

I’m looking for an ideaWhat is new or changing

Can Harvard help meWhat don’t I know about

How do I knowWhat is happening

Why is this happeningWhat happenedWhat will happen

How will this affect meWhen will it happenHow can I support

Can I share my workCan I volunteerHow do I donate

Research Support

Depository

Library Operations


Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages


Staff Directory



Mission

HOLLIS

Page

Report a Problem



Digital Collections


Secondary Content Research Support and Tools

Libraries and Collections

Help

Search


Help

Search

About the Library

Help


Help

Find a Library

Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources


Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver




Internal Sub Page

Centralized Hours and Info database

HOLLIS Classic


Help

Research Support and Tools

Search

About the Library

I need help finding infoWhat are the policies for…

Who can help meWhere do I go

I’m having technical difficultiesShould I talk to a LibrarianHow do I connect with…

Can I get it


For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information


Ask a Librarian

Faculty Students Staff and Librarians VisitorsUsers Researcher

Novice Researcher Educator ExplorerPersonas Experienced Researcher Information Seeker


Space


Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX


Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Library Transition

Library Innovation


Tell Us

External Sub Page

- 21 -

Sample Persona to Information Architecture Mapping – Experienced Researcher





Donation page

Goals




















Research Support

Depository

Library Operations


Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages


Staff Directory



Mission

HOLLIS

Page

Report a Problem



Digital Collections




Help

Search


Help

Search

About the Library

Help


Help

Find a Library

Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources


Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver




Internal Sub Page


HOLLIS Classic


Help


Search

About the Library




Can I get it


For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information


Ask a Librarian




Space


Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX


Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Library Transition

Library Innovation


Tell Us

External Sub Page

- 22 -





Donation page

Goals




















Page



Help

Search


Help

Search

About the Library

Help


Help

Find a Library


Help


Searchh

About the Library




Can I get it



Sample Persona to Information Architecture Mapping – Novice Researcher


HOLLIS

E-Resources

HOLLIS Classic

Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX


Research Support




Digital Collections

73 Library Profile Pages

Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources


Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver

Archive Profile Pages

Harvard Library ResourcesAsk a Librarian


Space


Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Depository

Library Operations


Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages

Staff Directory


Mission

Report a Problem

Staff Resources




For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information


Library Transition

Library Innovation


Tell Us

Internal Sub Page

External Sub Page

- 23 -





Donation page

Goals




















Page



Help

Search


Help

Search

About the Library

Help


Help

Find a Library


Help


Search

About the Library




Can I get it



Sample Persona to Information Architecture Mapping - Educator

Research Support

Depository

Library Operations


Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages


Staff Directory



Mission

HOLLIS

Report a Problem



Digital Collections


Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources


Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver




HOLLIS Classic



For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information


Ask a Librarian


Space


Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX


Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Library Transition

Library Innovation


Tell Us

Internal Sub Page

External Sub Page

- 24 -





Donation page

Goals




















Page



Help

Search


Help

Search

About the Library

Help


Help

Find a Library


Help


Search

About the Library




Can I get it



Sample Persona to Information Architecture Mapping - Explorer

Research Support

Depository

Library Operations


Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages


Staff Directory



Mission

HOLLIS

Report a Problem



Digital Collections


Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources


Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver




HOLLIS Classic



For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information


Ask a Librarian


Space


Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX


Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Library Transition

Library Innovation


Tell Us

Internal Sub Page

External Sub Page

- 25 -





Donation page

Goals




















Page



Help

Search


Help

Search

About the Library

Help


Help

Find a Library


Help


Search

About the Library




Can I get it



Sample Persona to Information Architecture Mapping – Information Seeker

Research Support

Depository

Library Operations


Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages


Staff Directory



Mission

HOLLIS

Report a Problem



Digital Collections


Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources


Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver




HOLLIS Classic



For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information


Ask a Librarian


Space


Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX


Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Library Transition

Library Innovation


Tell Us

Internal Sub Page

External Sub Page

- 26 -





Donation page

Goals




















Page



Help

Search


Help

Search

About the Library

Help


Help

Find a Library


Help


Search

About the Library




Can I get it



Sample User to Information Architecture Mapping – Faculty Member

Research Support

Depository

Library Operations


Technical Services

Access Services

Staff Profile Pages


Staff Directory



Mission

HOLLIS

Report a Problem



Digital Collections


Research FAQs

Get It Services

How to Cite Sources


Library Services

Research Guides

Scan and Deliver




HOLLIS Classic



For Visitors

FAQ

For Donors

General Information


Ask a Librarian


Space


Primo Central

E-Journals

DASH

Geospatial Library

Google Scholar

Google Book Search

IQSS Dataverse

VIA

OASIS

WAX


Endnote

Citation Linker

Harvard LibX

Harvard Refworks

Interlibrary Loan

Borrow Direct

Library Transition

Library Innovation


Tell Us

Internal Sub Page

External Sub Page

Information Architecture Next Steps

The Information Architecture of the Harvard Library Portal will continue to evolve throughout the design and testing processes. Wireframe Review sessions and Usability Testing will validate the Information Architecture and provide an opportunity for adjustments prior to the summer 2012 portal launch.

- 27 -

harvard library portal information architecture - draft may 16, 2012

Documents

end user search

user centricity

steps27 slide

common end user activities

unified user experience

user experience work

ease end user comprehension

design work product