Research on System Usability of Digital Libraries in China

Abstract

Digital libraries have not been fully used yet in China. This situation is related to digital library usability. Some research and analysis on system usability evaluation for digital libraries in China was conducted. This paper firstly introduced evaluation method and process. Then system usability evaluation criteria of digital library (DL) were proposed. Four different types of digital libraries were selected and evaluated. Some typical examples of usability issues about these digital libraries were analyzed. Finally the usability strengths and weaknesses of digital libraries in China were summarized and discussed.