Digital Library Users Research Articles

CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management Software and End-User Efficacy

ABSTRACT Digital libraries and collections are a growing facet of today's traditional library. Digital library technologies have become increasingly more sophisticated in the effort to provide more and better access to the collections they contain. The evaluation of the usability of these technologies has not kept pace with technological developments, however, and the end-user has in some cases been left behind. This research study evaluates the usability of digital collections created using the CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management System, a software system used by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Specifically, this study addresses the following questions: Does CONTENTdm meet users' needs? Is the interface sufficiently intuitive for them to use it? Is the experience of exploring digital collections using CONTENTdm satisfying to users? Employing usability testing techniques with actual-end users, this study attempts to assess the efficacy of the CONTENTdm public interface as well as user attitudes toward it. Ten participants from three user groups—faculty, library science graduate students, and the general public—performed eleven tasks designed to test the key functions of CONTENTdm-created collections and then answered a series of questions about their experiences. Key findings from this study indicate that while the included digital collections are useful and desirable to end-users, the interface generated by CONTENTdm can be confusing even for those who have considerable experience using the Internet. Results from this study may be used to improve this software system and add to the literature surrounding the usability of digital libraries in general.

Investigation of behavior and perception of digital library users: A cognitive style perspective

Cognitive style is an influential factor in users’ information seeking. The study presented in this paper examines how users’ cognitive styles affect their behavior and perception in digital libraries. Fifty participants took part in this study. Two dimensions of cognitive styles were considered: (a) Field Dependence/Independence; (2) Verbalizer/Imager. The results showed that Intermediate users and Verbalizers have not only more positive perception, but they also complete the tasks in effective ways. Implications for the design of personalized digital libraries are also discussed.

Characterizing a digital library's users: Steps towards a nuanced view of the user

AbstractThe importance of understanding the wants and needs of an information source's users is a key belief of user‐centered design. In digital libraries, we find two approaches to including users as factors in system design. User studies tend to provide a more abstract view and can be associated with information science research. Usability assessment tends to be associated with the practical assessment of the ease, efficiency, learnability, and flexibility of the digital library. However, usability assessment seldom deals with differences in user communities. This study of the information needs and information seeking values of three groups of digital library users illustrates how important it is to understand differences between user communities, to have a “nuanced view of the user”, to support informed decisions assessing the need for digital library content and organization.

User perceptions of digital libraries: a case study in Italy

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the findings of a survey promoted and financed by Fondazione Rinascimento Digitale about users' perceptions of digital libraries in Italy. The primary objective of the survey was to obtain feedback from users on their perceptions of digital library services and to give them an opportunity to make suggestions. A secondary objective was to establish and test a collaborative methodology with which to evaluate best practice for digital libraries.Design/methodology/approachQuestionnaires and interviews were used to gather the data. A questionnaire was also distributed to the managers of those cultural institutions involved.FindingsThe results of the survey indicated that users have different perceptions with regard to digital libraries and that they tend to use the services of more than one cultural institution. Overall, there is a positive attitude towards digital libraries, but the survey also underlines that users often do not know how to use the libraries and are unaware of all of the services offered. The accessibility of the interface was considered important, but as it becomes more sophisticated offering more services more staff assistance will be required.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey has had limitations of time and resources available. The focus was on on‐site users at the cultural institutions and not remote users and non‐users.Practical implicationsThe results of the survey have identified user priorities, but users are rarely involved in the design of digital libraries. The Fondazione Rinascimento Digitale aim was to stimulate a culture of excellence in the different cultural institutions involved, focusing on users' expectations.Originality/valueThe survey served to test experimental quality indicators and inquiry methodologies that focused on library users. This paper considers the implications of these results for digital libraries in general, and the value of a cooperative approach to the identification and evaluation of digital library users in particular.

Promoting library services in a Google world

PurposeAs the younger generation of born digital library users and even well‐established scholars rely increasingly on Google, or its new products Google Scholar and Google Book, for information resource discovery and access, libraries are finding it increasingly difficult to ensure that their own well structured web sites and information services are being utilized appropriately. This paper aims to highlight some of the changes occurring in the information environment and suggests ways of marketing library services effectively to today's users.Design/methodology/aproachMarketing concepts are explored in the paper, focusing on a clear understanding of users, the library's products, the appropriate place for service delivery, an appropriate pricing strategy – and effective promotional strategies. Promotional strategies which are being used effectively by some commercial organizations, as well as approaches being developed by some libraries, are highlighted. Practical hints are provided so that libraries can ensure that their missions of ensuring that every book has its reader can be accomplished in a new age of access to information in real books and journals and virtual books and journals and other information resources.FindingsThe paper finds that libraries no longer operate in a “come and get it” environment and new ways of outreach are described which ensure that librarians are out amongst their communities, creating an awareness of the services available and ensuring effective use of resources through a variety of approaches used in university libraries in Australia and at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.Originality/valueThis paper provides useful information on the changes occurring in the information environment and ways of marketing library services effectively to today's users.

The role of human factors in stereotyping behavior and perception of digital library users: a robust clustering approach

To deliver effective personalization for digital library users, it is necessary to identify which human factors are most relevant in determining the behavior and perception of these users. This paper examines three key human factors: cognitive styles, levels of expertise and gender differences, and utilizes three individual clustering techniques: k-means, hierarchical clustering and fuzzy clustering to understand user behavior and perception. Moreover, robust clustering, capable of correcting the bias of individual clustering techniques, is used to obtain a deeper understanding. The robust clustering approach produced results that highlighted the relevance of cognitive style for user behavior, i.e., cognitive style dominates and justifies each of the robust clusters created. We also found that perception was mainly determined by the level of expertise of a user. We conclude that robust clustering is an effective technique to analyze user behavior and perception.

Content Analysis of an LIS Job Database: A Regional Prototype for a Collaborative Model

Digital libraries are increasingly serving a worldwide audience. Persons of different cultural backgrounds can hold diverse perceptions of what constitutes an effective, efficient and satisfying information-seeking experience, and digital library design therefore grows more complex when its user population traverses cultural boundaries. This paper reviews the state of research on cross-cultural digital library usability and identifies reasons for lack of progress in the field. An improved framework is proposed to support the discussion and evaluation of subjective cultural factors in a deeper, more systematic fashion. The cognitive theory of Howard Gardner, multiple intelligences theory, is explored as one potential framework for exploring cross-cultural digital library usability. Each component of Gardner's theory is introduced, placed in a cultural context, and then briefly reviewed in terms of its potential application to digital libraries. Alternative frameworks, particularly the cultural dimensions theory of Geert Hofstede, are also introduced. Multiple intelligences theory is found to be helpful for understanding the nature of cultural variables, but not readily translatable into operational design principles for digital libraries. Combining multiple intelligences cognitive theory with cultural theory and global HCI design principles may prove a useful direction for future research.

Design and usability of digital libraries ? Edited by Theng Yin- Leng & Schubert Foo

British Journal of Educational TechnologyVolume 38, Issue 1 p. 184-184 Design and usability of digital libraries – Edited by Theng Yin- Leng & Schubert Foo First published: 03 January 2007 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00682_18.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume38, Issue1January 2007Pages 184-184 RelatedInformation

The Usability of Digital Libraries: Current Views and Perceived Importance: An Evaluation

The Usability of Digital Libraries: Current Views and Perceived Importance: An Evaluation

Types of Help‐seeking situations for novice users of digital libraries: A preliminary study

AbstractThe Help‐seeking situation is characterized by a person, who is engaged in the process of information seeking with an IR system in order to achieve his/her tasks/goals, and finds him/herself needing some sort of help in that process. To date, there has been little empirical research investigating the specific types of Help‐seeking situations that lead users to look for help. This paper reports the results of a preliminary study, derived from an ongoing large scale research project focusing on the identification of different types of Help‐seeking situations, along with types of help features used and their related problems. Seventeen subjects representing the general public in Milwaukee and New York City sites were selected for this study. Based on the analysis of pre and post questionnaires, think aloud data and transaction logs, the results present 9 types of Help‐seeking situations related to problems in the area of: domain knowledge, system knowledge, information retrieval knowledge, evaluation of results, and collections of digital libraries. Implications for the design of more effective interactive Help mechanisms are also discussed.

Design and usability of digital libraries: Case studies in the Asia Pacific

Design and usability of digital libraries: Case studies in the Asia Pacific

Perspectives on Teachers as Digital Library Users

Perspectives on Teachers as Digital Library Users

Digital libraries: what do users want?

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine user suggestions for digital libraries' functionality and features.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted as part of this study, in which users' suggestions for digital libraries were solicited, as well as their ranking opinions on a range of suggested digital library features.FindingsThe study revealed that, regardless of users' information technology (IT) backgrounds, their expectations of digital libraries' functionality are the same. However, based on users' previous experiences with digital libraries, their requirements with respect to specific features may change.Practical implicationsInvolving users in digital library design should be an integral step in the process of building a digital library – in addition to the classic roles of evaluation and testing.Originality/valueIn previous digital library user studies, users were involved implicitly (e.g. observed) or explicitly (e.g. diary notes). However, they were never asked to suggest digital library features or functionalities, as this was left to usability and domain experts. This study approached digital library design from a new perspective, giving users an opportunity to express their suggestions on future functionality and features of digital libraries. Moreover, in contrast to previous work, this study has explicitly taken into account the IT abilities of those interacting with a digital library.

Design and Usability of Digital Libraries: Case Studies in the Asia Pacific

Design and Usability of Digital Libraries: Case Studies in the Asia Pacific

The Other Side of the Coin for Open Access Publishing – A Developing Country View

This article presents the Open Access publishing experience of researchers in an academic research institution, in a developing country, Trinidad and Tobago, namely at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus. It considers UWI researchers' knowledge of Open Access, their access to the scholarly literature, Open Access Archives/Repositories at UWI and related issues of Research and Library funding and Information Communication Technology (ICT) Infrastructure/Internet connectivity. The article concludes that whilst Open Access publishing yields some obvious and well-documented benefits for developing country researchers, including free access to research articles and increased impact and visibility of “published” Open Access articles, there are some disincentives that militate against developing country researchers fully contributing to the global body of knowledge via Open Access. It finds that Open Access Journals are beneficial for scholars who consume information but are of little benefit for developing country scholars wanting to publish in these journals because of the high cost of page charges. Inadequate and unreliable ICT infrastructure and Internet connectivity also often limit access to information. It concludes that because of technical, financial, human and infrastructural limitations, Open Access via the Green Road of self-archiving is also often not an option for developing country researchers. These researchers are therefore unable to reap the real benefits, of making their research Open Access, that of increased impact and visibility.This study is to develop and evaluate methods and instruments for assessing the usability of digital libraries. It discusses the dimensions of usability, what methods have been applied in evaluating usability of digital libraries, their applicability, and criteria. It is found in the study that there exists an interlocking relationship among effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. It provides operational criteria for effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction, and learnability. It discovers users' criteria on ”ease of use,” ”organization of information,” ”terminology and labeling,” ”visual attractiveness,” and ”mistake recovery.” Common causes of ”user lostness” were found. ”Click cost” was examined.

Multiple Cultures, Multiple Intelligences: Applying Cognitive Theory to Usability of Digital Libraries

Digital libraries are increasingly serving a worldwide audience. Persons of different cultural backgrounds can hold diverse perceptions of what constitutes an effective, efficient and satisfying information-seeking experience, and digital library design therefore grows more complex when its user population traverses cultural boundaries. This paper reviews the state of research on cross-cultural digital library usability and identifies reasons for lack of progress in the field. An improved framework is proposed to support the discussion and evaluation of subjective cultural factors in a deeper, more systematic fashion. The cognitive theory of Howard Gardner, multiple intelligences theory, is explored as one potential framework for exploring cross-cultural digital library usability. Each component of Gardner's theory is introduced, placed in a cultural context, and then briefly reviewed in terms of its potential application to digital libraries. Alternative frameworks, particularly the cultural dimensions theory of Geert Hofstede, are also introduced. Multiple intelligences theory is found to be helpful for under standing the nature of cultural variables, but not readily translatable into operational design principles for digital libraries. Combining multiple intelligences cognitive theory with cultural theory and global HCI design principles may prove a useful direction for future research.

Design and Usability of Digital Libraries: Case Studies in the Asia Pacific

Yin-Leng Theng and Schubert Foo, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore . Section I. Digital Library Development History and Landscape Chapter 1. Survey and History of Digital Library Development in the Asia Pacific Hsinchun Chen and Yilu Zhou, University of Arizona, United States . Section II. Design Architecture and Systems Chapter 2. Design Architecture: An Introduction and Overview Edward Fox, Virginia Tech, United States Hussein Suleman, University of Cape Town, South Africa Ramesh Gaur, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, India Devika Madalli, Indian Statistical Institute, India Chapter 3. Development of Indonesia's National Digital Library Network Ismail Fahmi, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia Chapter 4. Dynamic Metadata Management System for Digital Archives : Design and Construction Shien-Chiang Yu, Shih-Hsin University, Taiwan Hsueh-Hua Chen, National Taiwan University, Taiwan Chao-Chen Chen, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan Chapter 5. Information Filtering and Personalisation Service Chunxiao Xing, Chun Zeng, Zhiqiang Zhang and Lizhu Zhou, Tsinghua University, China . Section III. Implementation Issues and Challenges Chapter 6. Implementation of Next Generation Digital Libraries Ee-Peng Lim, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore San-Yih Hwang, National Sun Yat Sen University, Taiwan Chapter 7. Using Multi-Document Summarisation to Facilitate Semi-Structured Literature Retrieval : A Case Study in Consumer Healthcare Min-Yen Kan, National University of Singapore, Singapore Chapter 8. KEA : Practical Automatic Keyphrase Extraction Ian Witten, Gordon Paynter and Eibe Frank, University of Waikato, New Zealand Carl Gutwin, University of Saskatchewan, Canada Craig Nevill-Manning, Google Inc., United States Chapter 9. Cross-lingual Information Retrieval: The Challenge in Multilingual Digital Libraries Christopher Yang and Kar Wing Li, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Chapter 10. Evolving Tool Support for Digital Librarians David Nichols, David Bainbridge, Sally Jo Cunningham, John Thompson, Stefan Boddie, Ian Witten, University of Waikato, New Zealand Gary Marsden, Dynal Patel,University of Cape Town, Africa . Section IV. Use and Impact Chapter 11. Digital Libraries and Society: New Perspectives on Information Dissemination Ian Witten, University of Waikato, New Zealand Chapter 12. Sharing Digital Knowledge with End-Users : A Case Study of the International Rice Research Institute Library and Documentation Service in Philippines Mila Ramos, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines Chapter 13. Multimedia Digital Library as Intellectual Property Hideyasu Sasaki and Yasushi Kiyoki, Keio University, Japan Chapter 14. Digital Libraries as Learning Environments For Youths Natalie Lee-San Pang, Monash University, Malaysia . Section V. Users and Usability Chapter 15. Usability of Digital Libraries in a Multicultural Environment Christine Borgman, University of California, United States Edie Rasmussen, University of British Columbia, Canada Chapter 16. Cross-Cultural Design and Usability of a Digital Library Supporting Access to Maori Cultural Heritage Resources Chern Li Liew, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand Chapter 17. From GeogDL to PAPER : The Evolution of an Educational Digital Library Dion Hoe-Lian Goh, Yin-Leng Theng and Ee-Peng Lim, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Chapter 18. Designing a Music Digital Library: Discovering What People Really Want David Bainbridge, Sally Jo Cunningham, John McPherson, University of Waikato, New Zealand Stephen Downie, University of Illinois, United States Nina Reeves, University of Gloucestershire, United Kingdom Chapter 19. Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluations of the Singapore National Library's Digital Library Yin-Leng Theng, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Mei-Yee Chan and Ai-Ling Khoo, Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore Raju Buddharaju, National Library Board, Singapore . Section VI . Future Trends of Digital Libraries Chapter 20. A Snapshot of Digital Library Development : The Way Forward in the Asia Pacific Schubert Foo and Yin-Leng Theng, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Appendix : Sources of Further Information About Authors Index.

Usability of digital libraries

PurposeThe conception, planning and implementation of digital libraries, in any area of knowledge, demand innumerable studies in order to verify and guarantee their adequacy to the users' necessities. Such studies find methodological, conceptual and theoretical support in some areas of knowledge, such as human‐computer‐interaction (HCI) (usability studies, in particular) and information science (IS) (especially studies about users' necessities and behavior in information search and use). This research, therefore, intends to integrate concepts and techniques from these two areas, that is, to analyze the usability of the InfoHab digital library, having as theoretical base the constructivist model of user study proposed by Carol Kuhlthau and the criteria of usability established by Jacob Nielsen.Design/methodology/approachIn order to do so, a qualitative study with six users with different levels of academic formation and experience in the use of recovery systems was developed. Data were collected through personal interviews, prototype of the library, direct observation, image and sound records. The variables of this study included the following criteria: learnability, efficiency and effectiveness of the digital library, management of errors, memorability and the user's satisfaction from the perspective of cognitive and affective aspects and the actions taken by the users during the information search process.FindingsThe aspects identified in the collected data are discussed and the results are evidence of the possible synergy between the HCI and IS fields.Originality/valueThe authors expect to contribute conceptually for a discussion about a model of usability study that can be more inclusive and incorporate the aspects pointed by the constructivist model.

Sustainable design for multiple audiences

PurposeTo 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/approachAfter 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.FindingsUsers' 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/implicationsLike most usability studies, the results are not generalizable.Practical implicationsIt 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/valueThis 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.

Designing effective tasks for digital library user tests: lessons learned

PurposeTo describe lessons learned about the process of designing effective tasks for digital library user tests.Design/methodology/approachIllustrated examples are drawn from eight separate user tests run over the course of three years during development of Variations2, the Indiana University digital music library.FindingsFour major considerations for effective task design are described and illustrated. Areas explored include iterative task development, design of authentic activities, recruitment of authentic users and how to deal with unrealistic testing scenarios.Practical implicationsLessons learned in task design are matched with examples that illustrate how to balance real‐world constraints with ideal testing conditions to gather useful results.Originality/valueUser tests that consider a balance between real‐world constraints and ideal conditions are more apt to provide useful design ideas for complex systems such as digital libraries. Practitioners may use these guidelines to develop and run their own effective user tests.