Testing, testing: a usability case study at University of Toronto Scarborough Library
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-10-2017-0107 |
| Date | 14 January 2019 |
| Pages | 88-97 |
| Published date | 14 January 2019 |
| Author | Sarah Guay,Lola Rudin,Sue Reynolds |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Testing, testing: a usability case
study at University of Toronto
Scarborough Library
Sarah Guay, Lola Rudin and Sue Reynolds
University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
Abstract
Purpose –With the rise of virtual library users and a steady increase in digital content, it is imperative that
libraries build websites that provide seamless access to key resources and services. The paper aims to discuss
these issues.
Design/methodology/approach –Usability testing is a valuable method for measuring user habits and
expectations, as well as identifying problematic areas for improvement within a website.
Findings –In this paper, the authors provide an overview of user experience research carried out on the
University of Toronto Scarborough Library website using a mixture of qualitative and quantitativeresearch
methods and detail insights gained from subsequent data analysis.
Originality/value –In particular, the authors discuss methods used for task-oriented usability testing and
card sortingprocedures using pages fromthe library website. Widelyapplicable results from this studyinclude
key findings and lessons learned from conducting usability testing in order to improve library websites.
Keywords Usability testing, Academic libraries, User-centred design, Library website, Card sorting,
User experience research (UX research)
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction/background
In January 2016, the University of Toronto Scarborough Library launched its newly
redesigned website. In a continued effortto make improvements to the website and to gain a
better understanding of how our users navigate this virtual space, we decided to conduct
usability testing over the course of Summer 2016. Usability examines the ease with which
users are able tointeract with an interface (Nielsen, 2012b) and provides concrete methodsfor
testing and improving website functionality. We decided to focus on two key methods of
usability testing: goal-oriented task scenarios and closed card sorting. Task scenarios
are a method in whichusers are presented with tasksto complete using the web interfaceand
are designed to reflect common user needs or behaviours (Usability.gov, n.d.b). This method
allows researchers to monitor how users naturally interact with the site and determine
whether webcontent aids or hinders user navigationalpatterns. Closed card sortingis another
usabilitytesting method in which users are presentedcontent from a website andare asked to
organise it into predefined categories (Usability.gov, n.d.a), which is particularly helpful for
making improvements to the existing information architecture of websites.
2. Literature review
Websites are a criticalcomponent of an academic library’s presenceand are increasingly the
primary pointof contact for a growing virtual user base.As such, it is imperative that the web
interfaces provide a positive user experience. However, certain challenges exist in designing
these interfaces. For many users, there is substantial risk of experiencing cognitive overload
when attempting to navigate academic library websites (Battleson et al., 2001; Pennington
et al., 2016).Farkas (2014) also notes that librarians, as expert users,may not be savvy to such
design flaws and can overlook usability issues within their interfaces, while Walton (2015)
notes that there may be discrepancies in how librariansperceive user needs compared to how
users perceivethemselves. Together thesefactors can contribute to negativeuser experiences,
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 1/2, 2019
pp. 88-97
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-10-2017-0107
Received 17 October 2017
Revised 1 March 2018
Accepted 5 March 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
88
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40,1/2
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