Usability testing and design of a library website: an iterative approach

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of the usability studies used by the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries during the redesign of their website.

Design/methodology/approach

The Libraries used a web‐based survey to determine needs, proceeding to the prototype design, and completing the process with the final design and user testing. Think‐aloud protocols, used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the final design, asked participants to verbalize their thoughts as they completed a series of tasks.

Findings

The results of the protocols indicated several key weaknesses with respect to navigation, screen design and labeling, leading to more revisions and the final release. Testing indicated that color and graphics attract attention; font, labels, and placement increase visibility; chunking and leading with keywords increase readability; and consistency increases usability.

Research limitations/implications

This is a case study and therefore not necessarily representative to the general population of library website design efforts.

Practical implications

This paper describes several methods of gathering feedback during website design or usability testing with an emphasis on think‐aloud protocols.

Originality/value

The techniques used here may be useful to others who are approaching redesign and usability testing of their own sites and interested in creating a user‐centered design.

Citation

George, C.A. (2005), "Usability testing and design of a library website: an iterative approach", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 167-180. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750510612371