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Testing, testing: a usability case study at University of Toronto Scarborough Library

Sarah Guay (University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada)
Lola Rudin (University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada)
Sue Reynolds (University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 6 August 2018

Issue publication date: 7 January 2019

1709

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 quantitative research 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 sorting procedures using pages from the library website. Widely applicable results from this study include key findings and lessons learned from conducting usability testing in order to improve library websites.

Keywords

Citation

Guay, S., Rudin, L. and Reynolds, S. (2019), "Testing, testing: a usability case study at University of Toronto Scarborough Library", Library Management, Vol. 40 No. 1/2, pp. 88-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-10-2017-0107

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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