Embedded Files
PROJECT GOALS
To evaluate the usability of the library's website.
To identify obstacles users encounter when searching for library resources.
To propose improvements to enhance the website's user experience.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the main usability issues of the library's website?
What specific obstacles do users face when trying to find resources on the library's website?
How can the library's website be improved to better serve its users?
METHOD
Interviews
IMPACT
Presented key research findings and design suggestions to Washington County Free Library Board
Provided site-specific recommendations
The Problem
The Washington County Free Public Library has a lot of resources to offer the community, but they are finding that the current website is not allowing it to be utilized to its full potential. With the number of people coming to the library being down and the website not being as intuitive, there has been a decrease in engagement between the library and the community. The library is looking to maximize the potential of their resources and to bring people back to the library.
The library has four types of patrons they want to focus on: Recreational users, home schoolers, job seekers, and students.
The Process
Understanding The User
We wanted to recruit from four user groups: parents, students, jobseekers, and recreational library users. They would not be “expert users” who are already familiar with everything the library has to offer, but rather people with whom the library would like to increase engagement. There were 6 participants in this study:
Participant 1
64 Years old, Female
Recreational library users, Parents, In person
Participant 2
38 years old, Female
Master's, Recreational library users, Online
Participant 3
40 years old, Male
Master's, Recreational library users, Online
Participant 4
24 Years old, Female
Master's, Recreational library users, Job seeker, In-person
Participant 5
24 Years old, Male
Bachelor's, Recreational library users, Job seeker, In-person
Participant 6
40 Years old, Female
Mother, Student, Online/ In-Person
Recommendations
Search Bar
Search bars are one of the most important features but a few users found it a bit difficult to use.
The search navigation is one of the most important features for websites.
During interviews we noticed how a couple of participants were confused and had questions as it related to the search feature
One of the points was , is it meant to be a search bar or is it meant to direct the user to another page seen in the example clip
Small Businesses resources
One of the points that was brought up was that of where to find the small business information
The user pointed out that the page itself was hard to find.
One of the biggest reasons was the fact that it was groups with the nav item, “research and local history”.
The participant thought this nav was not the most conducive place to place that information and that it did not make sense to them.
Age group
Many participants found themselves second guessing what category to pick when asked to find resources for middle schoolers.
Since middle school students are between the ages of 10-13, many hesitated between “kids and tweens” and “Teens/YA”
Calendar
A lot of users found the layout of upcoming events to be confusing. They said they expected it to be in a calendar format or be arranged by dates
Google Sites
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