Usability and impact of digital libraries: a review
Abstract
Purpose
The main objective of this paper is to review work on the usability and impact of digital libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Work on the usability and impact of digital libraries is reviewed. Specific studies on the usability and impact of digital libraries in specific domains are also discussed in order to identify general and specific usability and impact measures.
Findings
The usability studies reviewed in this paper show that a number of approaches have been used to assess usability. In addition to the technical aspects of digital library design (e.g. architecture, interfaces and search tools), there are a number of usability issues such as globalisation, localisation, language, culture issues, content and human information behaviour. Digital libraries should, however, be evaluated primarily with respect to their target users, applications and contexts.
Research limitations/implications
Although a digital library evaluation study may have several objectives, ranging from the evaluation of its design and architecture to the evaluation of its usability and its impact on the target users, this paper focuses on usability and impact.
Originality/value
This paper provides insights into the state‐of‐the art in relation to the usability and impact of digital libraries.
Keywords
Citation
Chowdhury, S., Landoni, M. and Gibb, F. (2006), "Usability and impact of digital libraries: a review", Online Information Review, Vol. 30 No. 6, pp. 656-680. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520610716153
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited