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Paul Hagon and I co-presented at VALA2010
Citation preview
Making our catalogue as easy as 1, 2, 3
VALA2010, 8 February 2010Bobby Graham, Director Web Publishing (Acting)
Paul Hagon, Senior Web DesignerNational Library of Australia
2008 Library catalogue
Replace it
• An alternative open public access catalogue interface which:– enhanced access to the Library’s collections– improved usability for user needs– Enabled staff to customise the look of the screens– had linkages to other data sources and systems
VuFind
• Open source library resource portal• Developed by Villanova University• VU had same basic infrastructure as the
Library’s existing catalogue• Minimal configuration was required
The prototype
• Light on time and resources• Collaboration between Library system
administrators and ILMS managers• Test space
– Implement the Library’s requirements– Test with internal users
• Refine the findings• 2 May 2008 VuFind implemented as catalogue
VuFind prototype
Review VuFind interface
• Why? – Prototype became production catalogue without
user testing of interface• Who?
– Web Publishing Branch received funding to conduct this review
• How?– Library worked with Stamford Interactive, a
usability consultancy to conduct the review
What did we want to know?
• Who is using the catalogue?• Where do users come from?• Does the catalogue interface deliver what the
Library’s users need?• If not, why not?• Can the Library provide users with even more
of what they need?
The mission
• Review the existing user interface• Recommendations to improve the overall
usability of the catalogue interface• Investigate similar catalogues from Australia
and around the world
Focus group
• Director, Collection Delivery & Storage Branch• Director, Reader Services• Director, Serials Collection Management & Standards Branch• Library Graduate• Manager, Australian Collections & Reader Services• Manager, Document Supply Service• Manager, ILMS Unit• Manager, Serials Collection Management & Standards Branch• Senior Web Designer• Systems Administrator• Director Web Publishing Branch (Acting)
The process
• Ran a user survey• Defined user profiles• Interviewed users• Walkthrough with users• Considered the findings
How would you describe yourself?
How old are you?
Where do you live?
Did you access the catalogue from Australia or from overseas?
From where did you access the catalogue?
How did you get to the catalogue?
Why did you visit the catalogue?
How often do you visit?
Describe yourself
User profilesFamily history researcher
Recreational researcher (e.g. private interests)
Professional researcher
Librarian Academic Tertiary student
Age group Over 55 years of age Over 45 years of age 45 to 64 years of age
Over 45 years of age
Over 45 years of age Over 16 years of age
Geographic location
Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra/Other NSW
Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra/Other NSW and outside Australia
Sydney, Canberra/ACT and outside Australia
Canberra/ACT
Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra and outside Australia
Canberra/ACT
Access via NLA website or a search engine
NLA website or a search engine
NLA website or a search engine
NLA website
NLA website or a search engine
NLA website or a search engine
Access from Home Home Home or work Home Home Home
Looking for Items on a particular subject or to find an online resource
Items on a particular subject or to find an online resource
Items on a particular subject
Specific title
Items on a particular subject or title search
Items on a particular subject
Usage frequency
About once per month or first time users
About once per month or first time users
Less than once per month or first time users
Several times per week to every day
Less than once per month or first time users
Several times per month and once per month as well as first time users
User walkthroughs
• We worked with nine typical users• Ran two user test sessions
– First session users had to complete a set of tasks using the current VuFind catalogue interface
– Second session users tested the revised interface with changes based on the first session
•Obtain users’ feedback and allow them to inform the design•Validate labeling issues•Validate changes in:•Homepage•Results page•Search box•Navigation options (footer links)
The purpose
1. Find new items added in the last week2. What is Dr Seuss’s real name?3. What can you find for Aboriginal Australian rugby
league players?4. Find the book ‘Australian beach houses’ by Jenna
Reed Burns5. Search for Captain Cook
The questions
Reduce number of results to 10 per screen✘
✔ Survey every 6 months
✘ Remove all formats drop down
✔ Remove chatty text
✔ Change browse to browse alphabetically
Close some facets✘
Some recommendations
Remove the comments tab & functionality✘
Use friendly words
Thank you
bgraham@nla.gov.auTel: 02 6262 1542http://libertylittlebasil.blogspot.com/@LibertyBasil
phagon@nla.gov.auTel: 02 6262 1026http://www.paulhagon.com/@paulhagon
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