UW Library - Web Gateway Usability Testing
Prof. Carolyn MacGregor
Systems Design 348
Purpose and Rationale
The project will study the usability of the University of
Waterloo Library's Web Site in general and its main Gateway in particular.
The goal is to make the Library's web site useful for study and research
for our students and faculty. We want to make the Library web site the
main window to information for our students and faculty.
The initial tests should concentrate on the Library top gateway.
Additional tests will concentrate on site navigation issues and usability
of individual pages within the site
Important Aspects to test:
- Overall site-layout of Library Gateway - http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/
- Graphics on the Gateway
- Mouse-over vs. text layout
- Dead spaces (white spaces)
- Labels - Language & jargon
- Navigation - issues
- Layout consistency (navigation)
- Clarity of top navigation bar
Web Usability Questions
How does the UW Library's top web page help answer the following
questions:
- How would you find if the library has Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace?
(Trellis)
- Is the University Map and Design Library open on weekends? (About the
Library)
- I need to contact the librarian for my department - how do I find
his/her phone or e-mail? (About the library)
- Does the Library have any electronic dictionaries? (Find it)
- Where can I find electronic maps? (Find it)
- Where do I find the URL for Yahoo? (Find it)
- Where can I find a database in which to locate articles on
Anthropology subjects? (Find it)
- Where can I find information on how to cite web sites? (Find it)
- Can I read an article of a journal without coming to the library?
(Find it)
- Guelph Library has the book I need. How do I have it brought to UW?
(Get it)
- How can I discover if any materials have been placed on Reserve for my
courses? (Get it)
- How can I discover when my UW library books are due? (Get it)
- I am visually impaired - does the library offer any special services
for me? (Get it)
- Where can I find the exam timetables? (Local sites)
- How can I find out if my course textbook is in stock at the UW
Bookstore? (Help)
- Where can I find instructions about connecting from home? (Help)
- I need to find a book that is not available in our catalogue - how can
I get a copy from a remote library? (Get it, ILL + Library Forms)
- How do I get an article from a journal that is available at the
University of Guelph? (Get it, TUGDocs + Library Forms)
- I am a new undergraduate student - I need to do research on a topic -
where do I start?
- What library orientation sessions are being offered for graduate
students this term? (What's new or Services for Graduate
Students)
Other Library Sites to compare with -
University of Arizona - http://www.library.arizona.edu/
University of Washington - http://www.lib.washington.edu/
NCSU - http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/
Yale University - http://www.library.yale.edu/
University of Pennsylvania - http://www.library.upenn.edu/
Library Contacts for the Web Usability Project:
|
Name
|
Location
|
Phone
|
e-mail (.uwaterloo.ca)
|
|
Amos Lakos |
Porter |
2279 |
aalakos@library |
|
Anne Fullerton |
Davis |
6917 |
affuller@library |
|
Annette Dandyk |
Porter |
2661 |
ajdandyk@library |
|
Connie Pantic |
Davis |
2356 |
cpantic@library |
|
Michelle Laing |
Porter |
5135 |
mlaing@library |
|
Susan Routliffe |
Porter |
3312 |
sroutlif@library |
Faculty Contacts:
|
Name
|
Location
|
Phone
|
e-mail (.uwaterloo.ca)
|
|
Dr. Carolyn MacGregor |
DC 2621 |
2897 |
cgmacgre@engmail |
|
Lora Bruyn |
E2 1306C |
6087 |
le2bruyn@engmail |
|
Scott Anderson |
E2 1306B |
6087 |
sjanders@engmail |