Making Our Catalogue As Easy As 123

Making our catalogue as easy as 1, 2, 3

VALA2010, 8 February 2010Bobby Graham, Director Web Publishing (Acting)

Paul Hagon, Senior Web DesignerNational Library of Australia

2008 Library catalogue

Replace it

• An alternative open public access catalogue interface which:– enhanced access to the Library’s collections– improved usability for user needs– Enabled staff to customise the look of the screens– had linkages to other data sources and systems

VuFind

• Open source library resource portal• Developed by Villanova University• VU had same basic infrastructure as the

Library’s existing catalogue• Minimal configuration was required

The prototype

• Light on time and resources• Collaboration between Library system

administrators and ILMS managers• Test space

– Implement the Library’s requirements– Test with internal users

• Refine the findings• 2 May 2008 VuFind implemented as catalogue

VuFind prototype

Review VuFind interface

• Why? – Prototype became production catalogue without

user testing of interface• Who?

– Web Publishing Branch received funding to conduct this review

• How?– Library worked with Stamford Interactive, a

usability consultancy to conduct the review

What did we want to know?

• Who is using the catalogue?• Where do users come from?• Does the catalogue interface deliver what the

Library’s users need?• If not, why not?• Can the Library provide users with even more

of what they need?

The mission

• Review the existing user interface• Recommendations to improve the overall

usability of the catalogue interface• Investigate similar catalogues from Australia

and around the world

Focus group

• Director, Collection Delivery & Storage Branch• Director, Reader Services• Director, Serials Collection Management & Standards Branch• Library Graduate• Manager, Australian Collections & Reader Services• Manager, Document Supply Service• Manager, ILMS Unit• Manager, Serials Collection Management & Standards Branch• Senior Web Designer• Systems Administrator• Director Web Publishing Branch (Acting)

The process

• Ran a user survey• Defined user profiles• Interviewed users• Walkthrough with users• Considered the findings

How would you describe yourself?

How old are you?

Where do you live?

Did you access the catalogue from Australia or from overseas?

From where did you access the catalogue?

How did you get to the catalogue?

Why did you visit the catalogue?

How often do you visit?

Describe yourself

User profilesFamily history researcher

Recreational researcher (e.g. private interests)

Professional researcher

Librarian Academic Tertiary student

Age group  Over 55 years of age  Over 45 years of age  45 to 64 years of age

 Over 45 years of age

 Over 45 years of age  Over 16 years of age

Geographic location

Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra/Other NSW

Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra/Other NSW and outside Australia

Sydney, Canberra/ACT and outside Australia

Canberra/ACT

Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra and outside Australia

Canberra/ACT

Access via NLA website or a search engine

NLA website or a search engine 

NLA website or a search engine 

NLA website 

NLA website or a search engine 

NLA website or a search engine 

Access from Home Home Home or work Home Home Home

Looking for Items on a particular subject or to find an online resource

Items on a particular subject or to find an online resource

Items on a particular subject

Specific title

Items on a particular subject or title search

Items on a particular subject

Usage frequency

About once per month or first time users

About once per month or first time users

Less than once per month or first time users

Several times per week to every day

Less than once per month or first time users

Several times per month and once per month as well as first time users

User walkthroughs

• We worked with nine typical users• Ran two user test sessions

– First session users had to complete a set of tasks using the current VuFind catalogue interface

– Second session users tested the revised interface with changes based on the first session

•Obtain users’ feedback and allow them to inform the design•Validate labeling issues•Validate changes in:•Homepage•Results page•Search box•Navigation options (footer links)

The purpose

1. Find new items added in the last week2. What is Dr Seuss’s real name?3. What can you find for Aboriginal Australian rugby

league players?4. Find the book ‘Australian beach houses’ by Jenna

Reed Burns5. Search for Captain Cook

The questions

Reduce number of results to 10 per screen✘

✔ Survey every 6 months

✘ Remove all formats drop down

✔ Remove chatty text

✔ Change browse to browse alphabetically

Close some facets✘

Some recommendations

Remove the comments tab & functionality✘

Use friendly words

Thank you

[email protected]: 02 6262 1542http://libertylittlebasil.blogspot.com/@LibertyBasil

[email protected]: 02 6262 1026http://www.paulhagon.com/@paulhagon