Mobile web interface of academic libraries

Abstract

AbstractMore and more academic libraries are offering their services via a mobile web platform. This study examined the current status of the mobile web interface of academic libraries in terms of their usability and tried to suggest an effective mobile service design for academic libraries. Seventy‐six mobile academic library web sites were identified. Their first pages were captured and their menu systems were analyzed for different aspects, such as frequently appearing menu items, a search box and search links, URL hiding, menu icons and textual menus. We found many undesirable interfaces that waste space or cause users to be confused. A significant gap between users' needs and the services offered was also identified. To overcome this gap, more efforts should be made in finding users' needs first and implementing services as much as possible to meet such demands.