Overview
MoreBetterLabs was engaged to examine how the library system could improve its Web presence. The purpose of this work was to frame and motivate a user-centered design process. The user-centered design process ultimately advances the library’s mission by creating a Web presence which supports the needs of key user groups.
Our approach was to facilitate group interviews with library staff from numerous departments and functional areas. Five two-hour group sessions, with a total of approximately thirty participants, were conducted. These sessions focused on understanding key initiatives underway across the library system, and identifying characteristics of a successful Web presence.
The group sessions were followed by individual interviews with selected participants to clarify key questions and issues. An analysis session with core library Web staff then synthesized a set of key issues, including Users (e.g., Pushing information to users, Privacy, User-generated content), Teaching and learning, Outreach, Design, Findability, Information architecture, Data and metrics, and Physical access. Finally, we reviewed and interpreted the findings from a user experience perspective, and applied our sense of priority to the key issues.
Team and Partners
- Angela Ballard - study convenor and notetaker, contact for study
- Daniel Lucas - notetaker
- Kristen Antelman
- Abe Crystal, MoreBetterLabs, Inc.
- Rick Cecil, MoreBetterLabs, Inc.
- Jackson Fox, MoreBetterLabs, Inc.
- Kelsey Libner, MoreBetterLabs, Inc.
Project Links
Reports and Presentations
- Major Themes (.doc file)- themes identified during the course of the study.
- Key Findings (.doc file)- as prepared by MoreBetterLabs.
Last updated: October 2009
