User Research Projects
We share these public versions of our user research reports to show the importance we place on listening to our users as we develop interfaces and services, and to encourage conversations with others doing similar work. NC State University Libraries has been conducting user research studies for a long time; view earlier reports. For questions, please contact Josh Boyer and Robin Davis.
Projects on this page represent a selection of the work of multiple departments.
Data Experience Lab (DXL) Discoverability Study
The Data Experience Lab (DXL) is the NC State University Libraries’ community hub for data science support and learning, as well as advanced desktop computing. We conducted a usability study to understand how students discovered the DXL inside the Hill Library. The results reveal both short-term opportunities for improvement as well as insights for future data-focused learning spaces.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Data & Visualization Services
Student Experience Survey: Fall 2023
Students rated our spaces highly and had positive things to say about Ask Us staff members.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Access Services, Research Engagement
Study Rooms Observational Study Report
We observed how patrons use the study rooms at the D. H. Hill Jr. Library and the James B. Hunt Jr. Library to inform future choices about technologies and the size of rooms.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceHow we recruit participants for user research
Each year, 100+ students opt in to our user research participant pool. They are notified about surveys, interviews, and usability studies coordinated by our User Research Team.
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Contributing departments: Organizational Strategy, User Experience
Survey on Libraries furniture and spaces
We surveyed Libraries users to find out what they want and need from library furniture and spaces.
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Contributing departments: Organizational Strategy, Access Services, User Experience, Acquisitions & Discovery
Homepage Redesign 2023
After a decade of roughly the same layout, we rebuilt the Libraries homepage from the ground up.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, External RelationsDatabases usability study
After launching our updated discovery platform for research databases, we conducted a set of usability tests and interviews to evaluate the success of the new application and discover opportunities for improvement.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Collections & Research Strategy, Digital Library Initiatives (DLI), Research EngagementAnnonatate Usability Study
Students provided feedback on Annonatate, a web app for annotating images. Their feedback focused on the appearance of the application and confusion regarding navigation and sharing their work.
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Contributing departments: Digital Library Initiatives (DLI), User Experience
“Good Bets” usability study
The QuickSearch Product Team had an idea called “Good Bets” for a new feature for the QuickSearch tool. Usability tests gave us confidence that the idea is worth pursuing. The “Good Bets” feature will launch later in 2023.
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Contributing departments: Digital Library Initiatives (DLI), Access Services, Acquisitions & Discovery, User Experience, Research Engagement
Readability Widget + Tiny Café
Participants gave us feedback on a pilot project—the Readability Widget. Overall, they had positive feedback. They especially liked the “Warm Background” option.
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Contributing departments: User Experience
Survey on Libraries desktop computer use
We noticed how users frequently rearranged desktop computer environments in the Hill and Hunt Libraries and surveyed users to try and find out why.
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Contributing departments: Information Technology, Organizational Strategy, Learning Spaces & Services, User ExperienceStudent Experience Survey, Spring 2022
Working to answer several questions regarding the Libraries and its operations, the User Research Team (URT) surveyed a group of 120 students who had agreed to volunteer in user research for the spring 2022 semester, with a total response rate of 49%.
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Contributing departments: User Experience
Card sort for virtual reality, digital media, and “maker” activities + Tiny Café
Libraries staff gave students a set of terms we use on the website for virtual reality, digital media, and “maker” activities, watched the students categorize the terms, and gained insights for improving our information architecture in the future.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & Services, Acquisitions & Discovery, User ExperienceSurveying Students About Email Communications
At the NC State University Libraries, we believe that communication is key. That’s why we conducted user research regarding our automated email communications with Libraries' users. In this study, we surveyed users to evaluate the effectiveness and friendliness of our new email templates.
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Contributing departments: Access Services, Collections & Research Strategy, Digital Library Initiatives (DLI), User Experience
Technology Lending Survey
The NC State University Libraries runs an extensive technology lending service that allows users to check out devices such as laptops and tablets. To improve this service, we employed a survey to gain a deeper understanding of our users’ expectations and find out what other devices they may want or need to borrow, with particular focus on users of the Hunt Library.
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Contributing departments: Access Services, User ExperienceQuickSearch + Drupal Usability Study
We conducted a usability test of how our custom search application shows results from our website, and interviewed participants to capture their thoughts on recently added QuickSearch (QS) features. Our results challenged several previously held assumptions about how our patrons search on the Libraries website.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Digital Library Initiatives (DLI)
Innovation Studio Usability Study
The Innovation Studio is a new type of learning space for the Libraries that focuses on showcasing the innovative work of NC State’s students and faculty and teaching innovation methods to the campus community. We conducted a usability study and, based on the results, found ways to improve the accessibility and usability of the exhibit system and the space as a whole.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & Services, User Experience
Improving Our Web Forms
We audited the Libraries’ most visited web forms, assessing accessibility issues and performance. We found that many of these forms would benefit from styling and functionality updates.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceCitation Builder User Research
Citation Builder is one of the most popular parts of our website, with over 300,000 pageviews in 2020–21 alone. We conducted a usability study and, based on the results, found ways to improve Citation Builder's usability and accessibility.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceFriends of the Libraries: Usability Study
We conducted a usability study on parts of our website with members of the Friends of the Libraries. While we had positive feedback overall, we identified several areas where the user experience needed improvement.
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Contributing departments: Development, User ExperienceStudent Experience Interviews, Fall 2020
We conducted six interviews to gain additional user feedback from a student survey conducted in October 2020.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Access Services, Organizational Strategy, Research EngagementStudent Experience Survey, Fall 2020
We sent a survey about the Libraries’ spaces, website, and services to students in October 2020.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Access Services, Organizational Strategy, Research EngagementControlled Digital Lending Application Diary Study
Students gave us feedback about a new textbook scanning service in this diary study. We also asked about their reading habits and scheduling preferences.
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Contributing departments: Access Services, Digital Library Initiatives (DLI), User Experience
Textbooks User Research
We did a usability test to determine if students could find out whether their textbook was available through the Libraries and how they could request a PDF of a scanned excerpt. We found that users could accomplish these two tasks successfully, with some hiccups along the way.
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Contributing departments: Access Services, User ExperienceExplore Spaces Version 2 interviews + usability tests
We conducted six combination interviews + usability tests to test an early prototype of a new version of our Explore Spaces website. Participants responded positively to the overall concept of our prototype and helped us refine it.
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Contributing departments: User Experience
Business Research Guide + Tiny Café
Students told us about their expectations regarding a business research guide. We also asked about how they conducted research for business-related class projects.
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Contributing departments: Research Engagement, User Experience
Communication + Tiny Café
We conducted a brief survey and interview with participants to find out how they prefer to be contacted by the Libraries. Participants responded positively to prototypes of both text messages and emails regarding room reservations and upcoming due dates.
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Contributing departments: Access Services, User ExperienceEbooks + Tiny Café
We conducted a usability test to observe how users locate ebooks in the Libraries. We found that most users could successfully find an ebook through QuickSearch and the Catalog. We also found that users did not expect chapter-level metadata or download options to be available in the Catalog.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Acquisitions & Discovery
Identifying user needs through interviews and participatory prototyping
Through interviews and hands-on participatory paper prototyping, we learned about students' ongoing research projects and workflows. Many of the user needs we uncovered revolved around getting one-on-one help and project management.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Acquisitions & DiscoveryCoffee & Viz Program Evaluation
Coffee & Viz is a forum for NC State researchers and others to share their visualization work and discuss visualization best practices. As the series approached its five-year anniversary and fiftieth event, we wanted to evaluate how well the program was meeting its goals of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, raising awareness of library spaces and services, and building a community of practice around visualization.
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Contributing departments: Data & Visualization Services, External Relations
Events + Tiny Café
We conducted brief interviews and a card-sorting activity to find out how users conceptualize our events, workshops, and exhibits. We found that users liked browsing by topic.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Community Engagement
Catalog search context + Tiny Café
We conducted usability tests on two proposed designs for context-switching in the catalog. Tests showed that between the designs tested, a radio button design was clear and usable.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Information Technology
Perceptions of the D. H. Hill Library Renovation + Tiny Café
In September 2019, we asked students how much they knew about the ongoing renovation of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library. Most knew the entrance to the Hill Library had changed and that there is a renovation going on. They found the signs pointing them to the new entrance useful. Most did not know any further details about the renovation.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, External Relations, Harrye B. Lyons Design LibraryWebsite Navigation + Tiny Café
We conducted usability tests on a proposed website navigational system to decide if it was good enough to launch in March, 2019. Tests showed the new system, with a few tweaks, was ready.
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Contributing departments: User Experience
Workshops in REPORTER + Tiny Café
In March 2019, we conducted usability testing to learn more about our users’ experiences in navigating through the workshop registration process and attending workshops.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceDataspace Survey + Tiny Café
In January and February, 2019, we asked users for feedback on the Dataspace at Hunt Library. We were particularly interested to apply lessons from the Dataspace to planning work for the Data Experience Lab, slated to open in the D. H. Hill Jr. Library in August 2020.
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Contributing departments: Data & Visualization Services, User Experience
Software + Tiny Café
In February 2019, we held a pop-up user research station event, Tiny Café, where we found out more about our patrons’ software and programming needs.
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Contributing departments: Data & Visualization Services, User Experience
Tripsaver + Tiny Café: a pop-up usability testing event
In November 2018, we launched a pop-up user research station event, Tiny Café, where we found out about our patrons’ knowledge of and experience with Tripsaver services.
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Contributing departments: Access Services, Access Services, User ExperienceSummon Configuration Usability Test
In November, 2018, we conducted usability tests to see if a proposed change to our configuration of the Summon database would aid users searching for known-item articles without leading to confusion for those searching by topic.
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Contributing departments: User Experience, Acquisitions & Discovery
Augmented Reality Exhibit Usability Test
In July 2018, we conducted a usability test on ARt: Exhibition in 3D, an augmented reality (AR) art exhibit in the Technology Showcase in Hunt Library.
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Contributing departments: Data & Visualization ServicesD. H. Hill Library Game Space User Observation
In February and March 2018, the NCSU Libraries conducted a series of space observations to learn more about patron use of the Game Space at the D. H. Hill Jr. Library, identify potential barriers to use, and determine ways to improve discoverability of our video game facilities and collections.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & ServicesAudio / Video player usability test
In Spring 2018 the Libraries was developing a custom audio / video player for our digital collections. The player has unique features. We wanted to find out how intiutive users would find the tool.
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Contributing departments: Digital Library Initiatives (DLI)How much money did you spend on textbooks?
In March 2018 the Libraries' Alt-Textbook Project team placed whiteboards in the D. H. Hill Jr. and Hunt libraries with the question "How much money did you spend on textbooks?" Students answered.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & Services, Open Knowledge CenterData Science and Visualization Space user research
In Spring 2018, we conducted a survey, follow-up interviews with surveyed faculty, and a focus group with graduate students to learn more about the computing, data, and visualization needs of our community. What we learned has helped us plan the future Dataspace at the Hunt Library.
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Contributing departments: Data & Visualization ServicesInterviews with undergraduates about research
In November 2017 we conducted hour-long interviews with three undergraduate students about how they conduct research for their course work. Listening to these students led to recommendations for improving our website and our instruction program.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceUsability test for loaning PlayStation Virtual Reality headsets
In October 2017 the Libraries acquired PlayStation Virtual Reality headsets. We had questions about how easy it would be for patrons seamlessly use these devices. We conducted usability tests that revealed a few tips patrons will need to know.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceUsability test for Hunt Library touchscreens, Round Two
In June 2017 we conducted a usability test on 16 touchscreens in Hunt Library.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceUsability tests for eMammal Lite application development
In late 2016 and early 2017 we conducted a series of usability tests to support the iterative in-house development of an app.
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Contributing departments:Virtual Reality Survey
In Spring of 2017, NCSU Libraries was experimenting with virtual reality (VR) services and preparing to launch two VR learning spaces. We had questions about our users' general knowledge of this emerging technology. We conducted a user survey to gather this information.
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Contributing departments: Learning Spaces & ServicesDigital Privacy User Research
In January through March 2017 we conducted a survey and a series of focus groups to help inform service design around the topic of digital privacy.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceWebVR Virtual Tour Usability Testing
In January 2017 we conducted a usability test on *WebVR Virtual Tour*, a web-based application for viewing 360˚ photos, and a tutorial that allows people to develop this 360˚ virtual tour app themselves. Overall the app and tutorial were easy to use. We found a few opportunities for improvement, such as adding further instructions in the app.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceOnline Magazine Reading Study
We conducted a survey in late 2016 and two focus groups in January 2017 to find out more about our patrons' online magazine reading habits and preferences, and their reactions to an online magazine platform.
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Contributing departments: Collections & Research StrategyUsability test for Hunt Library touchscreens, Round One
In December 2016 we conducted a usability test on 16 touchscreens to be deployed in Hunt Library in Spring 2017.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceE-Boards Follow-Up Report
In 2014, Josephine McRobbie and Andreas Orphanides conducted a number of interviews that looked to better understand how users interacted with and comprehended the information on electronic billboards (e-boards) throughout the D. H. Hill Jr. Library. In the following year and based on user feedback, we eliminated much "rotating" content to allow for consistently available information; developed content that showcased top user needs such as weather, time, tech lending availability,…
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceData Visualization Workshop Attendee Interviews
Instructors of NCSU Libraries’ data visualization workshops interviewed 10 participants in April 2016 to learn how to improve future workshops. Among other findings below, participants told us they liked the content of the data visualization workshops and would like additional, related workshops.
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Contributing departments:Room Reservation System Usability Testing
In September 2015, the NCSU Libraries moved forward with a migration to a new room reservation system, EMS. This migration included the creation of a new interface for library users. Usability testing was conducted between Oct. 1 and Oct. 21, 2015. Two prototypes were tested representing the desktop view and mobile view of the new Room Reservation Interface for EMS.
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Contributing departments:D. H. Hill Pop-Up Interviews
In June 2015, Josephine McRobbie, Josh Boyer, and Andreas Orphanides set up a "pop-up user interviews" booth at the D. H. Hill Jr. Library. We solicited participants to share their likes, dislikes, and “hacks” related to the D. H. Hill Jr. Library. Participants described a variety of experiences using D. H. Hill Jr. Library. The bookstacks were described as a favorite “hidden” study space, but one lacking the modern furniture and the attention to detail of the lower levels. Users appreciate the…
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Contributing departments:Computer Availability Usability Testing
In mid-2015, Josephine McRobbie and Andreas Orphanides conducted a set of usability exercises with participants to gain insight into a preferable interface for a live computer availability map on an electronic billboard (e-board) at the D. H. Hill Jr. Library and on the Libraries' website. Using Jakob Nielsen’s method of discount usability testing, we interviewed three library users about their mental maps of D. H. Hill Jr.’s Learning Commons and tested two paper iterations of potential live…
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Contributing departments:QuickSearch Usability Test
In March 2015 we conducted usability tests on [QuickSearch](https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/reports/quicksearch) (NCSU Libraries' customized federated search tool with a bento-box results interface designed to connect users to a variety of library resources, services, and tools). Users showed no confusion over the bento-box layout. They seemed to understand it and asked no questions about the layout or arrangement of the search-results page. The most significant problem we found was that users did not…
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Contributing departments:E-Boards Usage and Content Strategy
In Fall 2014, Josephine McRobbie and Andreas Orphanides conducted user interviews at the D. H. Hill Jr. Library that looked to improve content strategy and future placement of electronic billboards (e-boards) in the building. We found that e-boards could be better utilized to disseminate information to users. Currently, the biggest barriers to use are the dynamic, changing nature of content featured on the e-boards, and the selection of relevant content. Relevance was defined by users as…
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Contributing departments:Mobile Scavenger Hunt
A mobile, game-based way to introduce students to the library.
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Contributing departments: User ExperienceDiscovery Environment Usability Test
In the spring and summer of 2010, the ITAC (IT Advisory Committee) Discovery Environment Team designed the tabbed search interface for the homepage of the Libraries' redesigned website. We also designed the search box in the header of all the website's pages beyond the homepage. An earlier usability test informed those design decisions. That was our pre-test. After the redesigned website went live in August 2010, the Discovery Environment Team had one remaining task: a post-test, a…
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Contributing departments:Website Redesign 2010
User-centered website redesign 2010
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Contributing departments: Digital Library Initiatives (DLI), User ExperienceCollection Guides (Finding Aids) Usability Study of Novice Users
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Contributing departments:User Personas
In preparation for a major website redesign, we created personas representing types of users, their goals and motivations, and their online research behaviors
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Contributing departments: Digital Library Initiatives (DLI), User Experience