Number 5 • Edition 2 • 2007 Subscribe, View PDF Welcome Introductory Comments Matching the System and User Activities Organize your site based on users' tasks and their frequency Make your website search clear and offer it on your homepage Do not use librarian terminology Ensure good performance Flexibility and Efficiency of Use Organize information in multiple ways Organize information by type of material, subject and course Crosslink information when possible Minimize the number of clicks users must make Explain details to help users select and access resources Orientation and Navigation Link to your library website directly from your institution's homepage Use consistent navigation Page Layout Use page real estate wisely Hypertext and Linking Treat links according to conventions Consistency Provide a help link on every page Use consistent design elements Aesthetics and Graphics Use few colors and minimal graphics Accessibility Make your site accessible Usability Testing Test your site for usability Ask UCD Ask UCD References References Recommended Resources Recommended Resources Contact Information Author and Editor CHRIS JASEK Elsevier User Centered Design Group Manager Produced by Library Connect, in collaboration with the Elsevier User Centered Design Group Library Connect Editorial Office ELSEVIER 525 B Street, Suite 1900 San Diego, CA 92101, USA Phone: (+1) 619.699.6283 libraryconnect@elsevier.com

Recommended Resources

Brantley, S., Armstrong, A., & Lewis, K. M. (2006). Usability testing of a customizable library web portal. College and Research Libraries, 6(2), 146–163.

Cervone, H. F. (2005). Usability training. An overlooked component in an on-going program of web assessment and development. OCLC Systems & Services, 21(3), 244–251.

Chowdhury, S., Landoni, M., & Gibb, F. (2006). Usability and impact of digital libraries: A review. Online Information Review, 30(6), 656–68

Covey, D. T. (2002, January). Usage and usability assessment: Library practices and concerns. Washington, DC: Digital Library Federation and Council on Library and Information Resources.
www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub105/contents.html

Dee, C., & Allen, M. (2006). A survey of the usability of digital reference services on academic health science library web sites. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 32(1), 69–78.
DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2005.11.001
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00991333

Finder, L., Dent, V. F., & Lym, B. (2006). How the presentation of electronic gateway pages affects research behaviour. Electronic Library, 24(6), 804–819.

Koff, W. (2004). [Review of the book Usability testing for library web sites: A hands-on guide by Elaina Norlin and CM! Winters.] Library & Information Science Research, 26(1), 112–113.
DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2003.11.011
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/07408188

Krueger, J., Ray, R. L., & Knight, L. (2004). Applying web usability techniques to assess student awareness of library web resources. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 30(4), 285–293.
DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2004.04.002
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00991333

Novotny, E. (2004). I don't think I click: A protocol analysis study of use of a library online catalog in the internet age. College and Research Libraries, 65(6), 525–537.

Shropshire, S. (2003). Beyond the design and evaluation of library web sites: An analysis and four case studies. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 29(2), 95–101.
DOI: 10.1016/S0099-1333(02)00418-4
www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00991333

Contact Information

Daria DeCooman
Library Connect Managing Editor
Elsevier
525 B Street, Suite 1900
San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Phone: (+1) 619.699.6283
libraryconnect@elsevier.com

Chris Jasek
User Centered Design Group Lead
Elsevier
9443 Springboro Pike
Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA
Phone: (+1) 937.865.6800
C.Jasek@elsevier.com

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