User‐centred Library Websites: Usability Evaluation Methods

Citation

McNicol, S. (2010), "User‐centred Library Websites: Usability Evaluation Methods", New Library World, Vol. 111 No. 1/2, pp. 76-77. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801011015748

As the author states in the preface to this book, “more frequently for ever before, students, faculty and others are accessing the resources of college and university libraries using the library's website”. Although this is particularly true of academic libraries, it is also a trend in other sectors too. So this book could provide valuable guidance for librarians working in all types of environments who wish to ensure that their web sites are easy for users to use and understand.

The book covers various methods which libraries can use to gather feedback from users of their web sites about the organisation, navigation, terminology and general usability to ensure the web site is user‐, rather than librarian, centred.

The author starts by considering what exactly user‐centred design means. For me, this was the weakest section of the book, for example, I would argue with the assumption that all qualitative data are non‐empirical. However, the remaining chapters dealing with the practical design and evaluation of a website are much more compelling.

“Getting Started” considers who to include on the development team, defining objectives and a brief overview of evaluation methods. This chapter also offers advice on recruiting participants.

The following chapter describes how to carry out a user needs analysis to ensure the web site created is useful and meets the expectations of target users. For each methods described in this, and the following chapters, the author follows the same format. Each evaluation method is described briefly and analysed in terms of its objective; length of time taken; how it should be completed; and the advantages and disadvantages. For some methods, the precise headings vary and extra detail is provided, for example, questionnaires are divided into mail, e‐mail, group or individually administered, drop‐off and electronic surveys. A section on communicating the results is also included for some methods.

Following the user needs analysis section, there is a chapter on participatory design of the web site which describes methods such as card sorting and prototyping. While all stakeholders are involved in these activities, the chapter on usability inspection methods describes the ways in which usability experts examine the web site to uncover usability issues. The final section on evaluation methods describes the ways in which usability testing of a web site can be undertaken when users are observed using the site to complete real‐world tasks, for example, think aloud protocols.

The concluding chapter describes the various ways in which in which the findings of the evaluation activities can be communicated. In each case, the author identifies when they could be used and the advantages and disadvantages.

The main strength of this publication is its clear layout and structure. It provides brief, but focused information about each evaluation method, divided under helpful subheadings, which follow a similar structure throughout.

There are a number of appendices, which provide templates and examples, which could be adapted by anyone planning similar activities to those described in the book. For instance, there is a sample e‐mail request to participate and an informed consent form. Another useful addition is a glossary, which acts as a quick reference guide to the methods and other terms used throughout the book.

This book would be useful for librarians form any sector who are interested in improving the way in which they serve their users through their web sites. It encourages libraries to put users at the centre of their web site design to ensure that it meets the needs of users effectively. The author describes an array of methods which can be used at various stages of the planning, design and implementation of a web site, offering clear, practical advice which allows those with little experience to use approaches with confidence, while more experienced readers are encouraged to try new methods.