Library Website Design Research Articles

Redesigning library websites using the MDA framework

Purpose The purpose of this article is to examine the structure and determine the MDA framework for use in the development and design of library websites. The topic of innovation in libraries is frequently discussed; thus, we have tried to offer techniques for innovation in website design for libraries. Design/methodology/approach This study compares these two approaches to determine if the mechanical, dynamic and aesthetic (MDA) framework can also be used to create library websites. Each of the MDA framework’s three components was assessed for their applicability to the development of a library website. Findings When building a library website, three crucial characteristics that must be carefully taken into account are, among other things, being supporting and safety-oriented; adaptable and accessible; and aesthetically pleasing to the user. Studies have also revealed several additional criteria that may be regarded as success factors for library websites. In addition, there is also a framework for creating touch- and gesture-based interactions. It is also a method for understanding the creation and playing of video games. The acronym MDA stands for the three components of its structure: mechanical, dynamic and aesthetic. Originality/value Many kinds of library websites exist, including those for academic, public, school and special libraries. So far, models and approaches for designing pages have been offered for each of these library website categories.

Modern impressions: Getting to know your library website users

Academic library websites need to support a variety of users (student, faculty, staff, administrator, alumni, etc.) with intellectual pursuits related to research, teaching, and learning, in addition to being user-friendly, valuable and informative. Although the CUNY Queens College Library (QCL) website has been redesigned multiple times, there has not been a formal user research study of the website and its users to inform the redesign. Taking a user-centered approach, specifically the user-centered design (UCD) methodology, this study explores users of an urban academic library website in the United States through the use of triangulation, a mixed-methods approach that includes user survey, user interviews, and website analysis. The findings reveal that the majority of users like the QCL website and find the content valuable for teaching and research, but users also thought the website design was dated (not a modern design), some of the content was inconsistent, and access of all types emerged as a major theme. The results provide recommendations for the library website redesign and are important in helping librarians of similar libraries use triangulation of data to gain a multidimensional understanding of their users in order to inform the design and development of library websites.

An Assessment of Students’ Satisfaction with the Quality of Library Electronic Information Services during COVID-19 Pandemic at Selected Universities, Kenya

The study assessed students’ satisfaction with the quality of library electronic information services during covid 19 pandemic at selected universities in Kenya. The study utilized a quantitative research design. A self-administered questionnaire with a five-point Likert-type scale was used to collect data from 360 undergraduate students from two selected universities in Kenya with a study population of 12000 undergraduate students. Data analyses were done using descriptive statistics, simple linear regression and partial correlation. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 confidence level. The study findings demonstrate a significant positive relationship between SERVQUAL guided library electronic service delivery and student satisfaction, which means that an increase in electronic service quality will lead to an increase in customer satisfaction. The live chat service received a negative score but overall, electronic library services received a positive score which is an indication that library users appreciate the value of the electronic library services for their academic activities. The study identified smartphone as the most popular devise used to access electronic information services with 92% of the respondents using the device, the findings demonstrate the active role that smartphones are playing in formal learning and the various benefits students gain from smartphones. The study recommends design of mobile friendly library websites, transcription of the chart service to identify the frequently asked queries then create Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) feature on the library website to help respond to the information needs of the users more quickly and incase the FAQ page already exist explore ways in which the FAQ page could be automatically linked to users following each chat request. The study also recommends integration of information literacy training with the regular curriculum. The findings of this study may be used by educational institutions to enhance the role of libraries in distance and online education.

Use of content management system in academic libraries: An analysis of Central University library websites in India

This website provides information about the library's activities and services. The creation and maintenance of an interactive library website, however, requires technical knowledge, money, and time. Traditionally, even library staffi with technical skills have difficulty maintaining the library website. With the Content Management System (CMS), library professionals can now take up the design, development, and management of library websites without much dependence on their organization's information technology department. CMSs providefree and paid ready-to-use themes and plugins for library -websites to be designed and developed. A study of the web technologies used by central university library websites is presented in this paper. The study revealed that out of 39 central university library -websites in India, 17 use content management systems (CMS). Among the most used CMS are Drupal, WordPress, and Joomla. For identification of web technology used in library websites, WAAPPALYZER API is used. Drupal is the most popular.

Web-based Application Programming Interface (Web APIs): Vacancies in Iranian Public Library Websites

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are software tools that help different programs work together. APIs can improve an organization's presence on the Web with tools that integrate various useful, popular programs. This study aimed to identify appropriate web-based APIs used by the most popular public library websites for presentation on Iranian public libraries’ websites. For this purpose, we conducted this study in two stages: In stage one, Web APIs were identified by reviewing the websites of the top public libraries in the world. Then, in stage two, using the obtained results, important Web APIs were selected utilizing experts' opinions (the heuristic method). In stage one, the 30 Web APIs in two categories were identified: 10 public Web APIs and 20 private Web APIs. Then, in stage two, 7 public APIs and 17 private Web APIs for these websites were selected, based on expert analysis. The results of this study can be used to improve the design of public library websites and enhance the communication of such websites' presence on the Web.

<i>PHP 8 release</i> to upgrade library websites

The author explores the possibility to update PHP language up to PHP 8 in the library websites. Such upgrade is determined by the need for recommended safety level for web-resources. As exemplified by St. Petersburg library websites, the role of PHP language is demonstrated: 70% library websites are based on this technology. The content management systems (CMS) and PHP language versions are identified. For the three most popular CMS (CMS WordPress, CMS Joomla!, without CMS), technological recommendations are given on how to transfer to the new PHP versions (as for early 2021). About 28% websites do not use CMS. Their compatibility with PHP new version has to be provided individually. Approx. 28% library websites use CMS Joomla!, and 19% – CMS WordPress. Today, these management systems cannot support PHP 8 in full: WordPress is beta-compatible, while with Joomla! the work has been just in progress. The most recent information for IT specialists interested in library website design is given; releases to follow PHP 8 after November 2020, are described.

Content analysis of medical college library websites in Pakistan indicates necessary improvements.

Library websites are important for marketing library services and providing access to electronic resources. To determine the extent and quality of medical college (school) library websites in Pakistan, according to predetermined criteria. A checklist of 40 items was developed from the literature on academic library website evaluation as well as observation of known best practice. The checklist was used on the 45 medical college websites that fitted initial inclusion criteria. Of the possible 114 candidates for inclusion, 52 institution websites contained no information about the library, 17 only provided minimum details, leaving 45 medical college library websites that could be included. Library websites lack uniformity, and most of the important features as only three library websites contained more than 20 items from the checklist. The Agha Khan University Medical College, Karachi library website contained the highest (27) number of items. The findings indicate the design of medical college library websites is generally inadequate in Pakistan. The websites are not performing a useful role in communicating with faculty and students. The findings point to inadequate website design skills among librarians or the lack of co-operation with professional website designers. Marketing of library services and good customer relations demand improvements in the information architecture of medical college library websites as well as continued maintenance of the content to ensure that it is up to date.

Usability Analysis of Library Websites of National Institutes of Technology of India: An Evaluation

To maintain the standard, design and structure of Indian academic library websites, regular assessment of library web portals to increase their usability and accessibility is necessary. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usability, efficiency, and effectiveness of thirty National Institutes of Technology (NIT) Libraries websites in India. Most of the selected Libraries websites are very simple and had very basic and common usability features in terms of General Information, Available library services, about website, Website search facility, Use of web 2.0 applications, Page load time and Mobile friendly test, etc. There is enormous scope for improvement. Findings of the study will help to improve upon the usability features of selected libraries websites that will finally benefit the library users who are using library facilities and services remotely. Study will also help the webmasters to check their websites on timely basis to increase usability scores based on online usability tools.

Doing Away with “Database:” Exploring Medical Library Website Design

Library users can become confused by library jargon, especially the term “databases.” This study utilized a combination of end-user surveys and library website usability testing to determine if library users at an academic health sciences library were, in fact, using different terminology to refer to the library’s database collection. This study was devised to probe students' information needs and nomenclature for library resources and identify different ways of organizing information on the library’s website outside of the traditional database page and “Quick Links.” The study yielded valuable insight into how our users are identifying information resources that will allow us to improve website usability.

Covid – 19 pandemic and the future of Nigeria's university system: The quest for libraries' relevance

The paper examined the role of academic libraries in the evolving paradigm shift in teaching methodologies in Nigerian universities as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19. It x-rayed the current global trends in online education and significant roles libraries can play. Responsive library website design and adoption, adoption of blended librarianship model and use of social networks among others were identified as best practices to adopt in order to secure a place for libraries in Nigeria in the face of the eminent change in teaching methodologies post Covid-19. Furthermore, the study considered perceived challenges libraries may be confronted with in deploying relevant ICT infrastructures geared towards transitioning from traditional to online provision of services in support of teaching and learning. The paper recommended dynamism in library service delivery, urgency in the acquisition of new skill sets by academic librarians in Nigeria, while also calling on relevant stakeholders to provide adequate funding for libraries in order to be able to deploy relevant ICT infrastructures needed to adequately support teaching and learning in a virtual environment.

How KOHA OPAC can be Designed and used as Library Website: A Practical Approach

This work is intended to provide HTML and CSS Codes to design the effective OPAC page to use as Library OPAC as well as Library website. The main objective of the study was to define easy to adopt steps to design OPAC. Authors have tried to demonstrate design of Library website by using KOHA OPAC page with help of HTML and CSS code (Annexure 1).

Design and Usability of Library Websites

Design and Usability of Library Websites

Design and Usability of Library Websites

This paper considers the results of the analysis of 125 websites of Russian libraries on web design and usability, which was conducted at the State Public Scientific and Technical Library of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Using the site rating checklist, the data from this study and similar foreign works were compared. A profile of the typical website of the academic, university and public library in terms of design, content, service and general usability was obtained.

REDESAIN WEBSITE UPT PERPUSTAKAAN UNIVERSITAS SEBELAS MARET SEBAGAI MEDIA PENDIDIKAN PENGGUNA BAGI PEMUSTAKA

<p>Library website is one of the information retrieval media for students who are in the academic environment. Library website thus should adapt to the needs of students especially in conducting research. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the Sebelas Maret University Library website (UNS) as library education media after the redesign. Redesigning the website focuses on how to present the information sources in which the collections of UNS Library either in printed or electronic form exists. The results of the analysis after redesigning the website showed that the use of the website is as expected. This is showed through the statistics of the web pages most frequently accessed, the number of visitors, time spent from new visitors and returning visitors to visit the Library website UNS, user behavior -especially switching between web pages- and device platform used by a visitor to visit the Library website UNS. As a conclusion, after the redesign, UNS Library website is capable of facilitating student learning behavior that is independent, techie and mobile.</p><p>Keywords: library website design, user education, user behavior</p>

Design effectiveness of academic library web sites

PurposeAcademic library websites need evaluation to determine whether users can derive useful experiences while visiting them to perform tasks. This is more so because visiting an academic library website is by voluntary action rather than compulsion as is the case with university, polytechnic and college sites where students must conduct academic transactions that cannot be reasonably avoided. The result of such an evaluation provides signposts for improvement so that academic library websites can continue to be useful to their users. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the structural effectiveness of academic library websites in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe case study, research strategy and survey research approach were adopted for the study. Through a Web search, 14 universities, one polytechnic and one college of education were identified while three academic library websites were selected for the study. The evaluation of the websites was un-moderated and conducted remotely by user participants who were recruited across the three tertiary institutions under study. A five-point scale questionnaire served as the research instrument while data were presented in tables and analyzed using the median score. The Kruskall–Wallis test by ranks was used to test the null hypothesis at a five per cent level of significance.FindingsOut of the 20 items presented for assessment, Group 1 and 2 disagreed to 11 (55 per cent) while agreeing on the remaining 9 (45 per cent) on Lib 1 and Lib 2 websites. Group 3 agreed to 11 (55 per cent) while disagreeing on 9 (45 per cent) on the Lib 3 website. The null hypothesis proposed for the study was rejected as the p-value of 0.04 was significant at p < 0.05. This indicated that most of the critical issues pertaining to design effectiveness were perceived to be ineffective.Originality/valueThe findings from this study call for a review of the design of academic library websites in Nigeria so that users can identify which websites are easier to use.

In the Wake of Discovery: Student Perceptions, Integration, and Instructional Design

Academic libraries have increasingly adopted web-scale discovery tools in order to meet the expectations of students who want immediate results, efficient algorithms, and a single search box. As they have become the de facto search tool at many libraries, librarians and patrons alike have been forced to confront the way they think about research processes and in some cases, modulate ingrained habits. In this article, the authors explore student perceptions of efficacy, relevancy, and ease of use of a library discovery tool through a 2017 mixed-methods user experience study conducted at three City University of New York (CUNY) campuses. The results from this user study will be useful to other institutions that already have implemented discovery layers within their library and help inform website design, discovery layer design, and pedagogy. By combining student interviews with a task analysis, the authors were able to learn more about student search behaviors, how they respond to challenges, and what they expect from search tools. Identifying these barriers to student use of the Primo discovery tool has helped us articulate best practices for instruction and interface customization that may address these barriers and has illuminated implications for website integration.

Library Services Navigation: Improving the Online User Experience

While the discoverability of traditional information resources is often the focus of library website design, there is also a need to help users find other services such as equipment, study rooms, and programs. A recent assessment of the Brigham Young University Library website identified nearly two hundred services. Many of these service descriptions were buried deep in the site, making them difficult to locate. This article will describe a web application that was developed to improve service discovery and to help ensure the accuracy and maintainability of service information on an academic library website.

Informing Website Navigation Design with Team-Based Card Sorting

In 2016, Utah State University (USU) Libraries redesigned the library website’s main menu and underlying information architecture (IA) in response to a number of known usability problems and limitations. Card sorting studies were conducted with a group of USU undergraduate students and a mixed group of faculty and graduate students to help develop a better understanding of users’ mental models of library-related research and service tasks. Participants worked in teams to sort, rank and label cards pertaining to the content and feature of the library’s website. Afterwards, participants discussed and performed usability tasks on each other’s categories. Results were used to inform the design of a new IA and menu structure, while best practices from usability studies and trends in academic library website design were used to help with menu and link labeling. The final design was validated through follow-up discussions with staff, usability tests, and category/reverse category tests.

Usability Analysis of Central Universities Libraries Websites of North-East India: An Evaluative Study

To maintain the standard, design and structure of Indian academic library websites, it is highly recommended for regular assessment of library web portals to increase their usability and accessibility. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usability, efficiency, and effectiveness of selected central universities libraries websites of North East India. On the basis of the present study, it is found that most of selected central universities libraries websites of North-Eastern region of India were ignoring their usability features and there is numerous scope of further improvement in terms of applications of Web 2.0 tools, web searching features, library committee, website update, website map, website multilingual option, etc.

An exploratory study of library website accessibility for visually impaired users

To extrapolate best practices for accessible library website design, the Web-browsing needs of users with visual impairments were investigated. Selected library websites were tested for usability and accessibility with six visually impaired persons who use screen readers. The results were analyzed in terms of accessible coding standards as well as high-level usability issues. The analysis results indicated that these library websites are not accessible for visually impaired screen reader users. The most common accessibility barriers encountered were issues of information architecture and usable Web design, rather than errors in coding. Suggestions to improve accessibility are proposed.