Usability study of the mobile library App: an example from Chongqing University
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the usability of the mobile library App of Chongqing University and to provide recommendations for improving the experience of App users.
Design/methodology/approach
Usability testing, which comprised pre-test questionnaires, accomplishing tasks, and post-test surveys, was conducted in this study. The effectiveness and efficiency of the App, as well as user satisfaction with it, were measured.
Findings
The mobile App was proven effective but the efficiency of the App required improvement. With regard to user satisfaction, the factors “clarity” and “usefulness” received the lowest and highest scores, respectively. The descriptions of mobile services were unclear and confused users; nonetheless, the services provided by this App were appealing and useful to the users. Based on the measured user experience, this study proposed several recommendations for enhancing the usability of the App.
Originality/value
An increasing number of domestic and foreign libraries have begun to use mobile Apps to provide new services to patrons. In the future, smartphones are likely to become crucial to the delivery of information services. Given the extensive use of the Super Star Mobile Library system adopted by Chongqing University Library in China, the usability of such a system must be investigated. Improving the usability of the mobile library App can help enhance user experience.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the support and feedback from the participants in the testing. Funding supports from the National Social Science Fund of China (No. 12XTQ003) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. CQDXWL-2013-097) are also acknowledged.
Citation
Wei, Q., Chang, Z. and Cheng, Q. (2015), "Usability study of the mobile library App: an example from Chongqing University", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 33 No. 3, pp. 340-355. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-05-2015-0047
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited