TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– To demonstrate the value in conducting a usability study and following an iterative design process to create a more user‐centered and sustainable digital library.Design/methodology/approach– After identifying three key user groups, a series of usability tests and focus groups were conducted to assess how users interact with the site's interface. An iterative design process followed involving the development and testing of prototypes by representative users and stakeholders.Findings– Users' interaction with a digital library is task‐oriented and context dependent. Serving the needs of multiple audiences is an iterative process and requires an ongoing dialog with users.Research limitations/implications– Like most usability studies, the results are not generalizable.Practical implications– It offers an example of how an informal usability study and iterative design process can be conducted to create a more user‐centered digital library.Originality/value– This paper provides new insights into the information needs and behaviors of users of cultural heritage digital libraries and builds on the literature on usability and iterative design.
VL  - 21
IS  - 4
SN  - 1065-075X
DO  - 10.1108/10650750510629625
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750510629625
AU  - Norberg Lisa R.
AU  - Vassiliadis Kim
AU  - Ferguson Jean
AU  - Smith Natasha
PY  - 2005
Y1  - 2005/01/01
TI  - Sustainable design for multiple audiences: The usability study and iterative redesign of the Documenting the American South digital library
T2  - OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 285
EP  - 299
Y2  - 2024/09/24
ER  -