Showing papers in "Journal of Web Librarianship in 2014"
TL;DR: In this paper, a longitudinal study of the adoption rates and usage patterns of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr at academic libraries in the Canadian province of Ontario from April 2010 to April 2012 was conducted.
Abstract: A debate has emerged in library literature concerning the advantages and disadvantages of adopting social media applications in academic libraries. This research examines the ubiquity of social media through a longitudinal study of the adoption rates and usage patterns of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr at academic libraries in the Canadian province of Ontario from April 2010 to April 2012. The findings from this study indicate that large discrepancies exist in adoption rates across libraries, with two-thirds of Ontario academic libraries maintaining at least one social media application during the period of examination. Unexpectedly, Twitter and Facebook were equally popular social media tools during the study period. Despite its low adoption rate and usage, YouTube was by far the most effective means of reaching patrons. We conclude by examining the implications of engaging with patrons via social media in ways that are effective, engaging, and meaningful.
47 citations
TL;DR: This article will describe the design and implementation of the usability study that investigated how the Primo Discovery and Delivery tool is used without instruction, to discover patterns in searching behavior, and to uncover how compatible Primo is with user search behavior.
Abstract: Discovery tools offer users a powerful way of searching library holdings as well as external databases and indexes. They are becoming an increasingly common part of the library user experience, and research on the usability of such tools is expanding. In 2012, a mid-sized academic research library implemented Primo Discovery and Delivery by Ex Libris and conducted a diagnostic usability test to investigate how the tool is used without instruction, to discover patterns in searching behavior, and to uncover how compatible Primo is with user search behavior. This article will describe the design and implementation of the usability study. Despite some design flaws, users adapt to the tool over time and can perform effective searches. This article also provides recommendations for future usability studies in specific targeted areas where problems were detected.
28 citations
TL;DR: The majority of scholarship about digital library assessment utilizes usability testing and Web statistics for data collection, while studies about altmetrics, the reuse of digital library materials, cost benefit analysis, and the holistic evaluation of digital libraries are also present in the literature.
Abstract: Professional literature about the assessment of digital libraries reflects a growing interest in both improving the user experience and in justifying the creation of digital collections to multiple stakeholders. This article explores some of the key themes in digital library assessment literature through a review of current literature (2004–14) gathered from both scholarly and popular resources online. The majority of scholarship about digital library assessment utilizes usability testing and Web statistics for data collection, while studies about altmetrics, the reuse of digital library materials, cost benefit analysis, and the holistic evaluation of digital libraries are also present in the literature. Exploring the literature about digital library assessment allows libraries to create effective and sustainable evaluation models based on the successes and shortcomings of previously completed projects.
26 citations
TL;DR: Whether the platform used to deliver a tutorial matters in online information literacy instruction is investigated and the overall quality of an information literacy tutorial assignment given to an undergraduate survey class is assessed.
Abstract: This study investigates whether the platform used to deliver a tutorial matters in online information literacy instruction and assesses the overall quality of an information literacy tutorial assignment given to an undergraduate survey class. The study asks whether there is any pedagogical advantage between information literacy tutorials created in the LibGuides library guide creation software and tutorials created as Web pages. This research question is relevant to current studies of online information literacy tutorials, particularly given the increasingly dominant but under-researched position of LibGuides in the academic library world for delivering guides and tutorials. Two separate groups of students completed LibGuides and Web page versions of the same information literacy tutorial assignment in a university undergraduate communication course. Survey results of these 89 students indicated that both the LibGuides and Web page platforms deliver online instruction content effectively and achieve learn...
23 citations
TL;DR: This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on how to craft a Web analytics report and provides suggestions on visualizing statistics, interpreting data, and customizing the report based on a real experience.
Abstract: Libraries, along with other information service institutions, have entered a digital era in which resources are presented electronically through various digital platforms. The library Web site functions as the main source of information to patrons as well as a community outreach tool. Many library services now either succeed or fail based on how well users interact with the institution's Web site. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of library services, it thus becomes important for libraries to measure the performance of library Web sites. Web analytics is the ideal tool to answer questions regarding the evaluation of Web site performance. However, Web analytics can be hard to understand for those who do not have the time to familiarize themselves with all the terms and data. Writing a thorough Web analytics report can help make Web analytics easier to digest for administrators or Web site stakeholders.This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on how to craft a Web analytics report. It provides...
16 citations
TL;DR: The goal of this study was to test the ease-of-use of each discovery system with an eye toward identifying one tool to retain for the longer term, and to learn about the search behaviors of different types of user groups.
Abstract: In the spring of 2013, the University Library at the University of Illinois at Chicago was in the unique position of having access to two discovery systems, Summon and WorldCat Local, at the same time. When tasked with choosing between the two systems, librarians undertook a usability study of Summon and WorldCat Local. The goal of this study was two-fold: to test the ease-of-use of each discovery system with an eye toward identifying one tool to retain for the longer term, and to learn about the search behaviors of different types of user groups. Eighteen subjects, consisting of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty, participated in the study. Participants performed usability tasks using each tool and answered pre-task and post-task questions. While there was no clear preference among study participants for either discovery layer, individual groups did express preferences. Faculty, for example, preferred Summon to WorldCat Local at a rate of five to one. The study findings are explored i...
15 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of data from the University of Houston Digital Library's Digital Cart Service is discussed to determine why images were used, what products were created from the images, and what implications this has on digital library management.
Abstract: Information professionals and librarians have been studying, discussing, and developing digital libraries for more than two decades, but understanding ultimate use of images from digital libraries remains a mystery for many of them. Most articles written on digital library use focus on users’ search retrieval needs and behavior. Few mention how digital library patrons use the images they request. Like many digital libraries, archives, and special collections, the University of Houston Digital Library makes high resolution images available to its patrons. Image delivery is achieved by an automated system, titled the Digital Cart Service. An unexpected benefit of the Digital Cart Service is the reporting mechanism that produces data that includes intended use information. This article discusses the analysis of this data to determine why images were used, what products were created from the images, and what implications this has on digital library management. The authors believe that answering these question...
13 citations
TL;DR: Trends and common design elements for library Web site design are indicated and which elements Web designers and librarians at medium-sized libraries should consider including on their Web pages are shown.
Abstract: This study sought to describe and analyze the homepages of academic library Web sites at 313 medium-sized bachelor's and master's general institutions The authors evaluated an unprecedented number of library homepages for the presence of 118 design elements and reported common and uncommon design practices at these libraries They found 21 elements present on at least half the homepages studied Seven of these occurred on at least 80 percent of the pages studied: links to the university homepage, library hours, images, portals by subject or links to subject guides, links to interlibrary loan services, “about” sections, and catalog searches This study serves as a baseline for the current practices of homepage design for a large population of libraries The results of this survey indicate trends and common design elements for library Web site design and show which elements Web designers and librarians at medium-sized libraries should consider including on their Web pages Findings are compared with a simi
13 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey was conducted between July and November 2012 to determine how academic libraries in the United States and Canada marketed and delivered information literacy on the Web and found that only 65 percent of the libraries advertised library instruction as a service on the web, while 64 percent boasted research guides and tutorials.
Abstract: A survey was conducted between July and November 2012 to determine how academic libraries in the United States and Canada marketed and delivered information literacy on the Web. A random sample of 264 institutions was taken from Peterson's Four-Year Colleges 2012, and the authors checked each Web site of the academic libraries of the institutions in the sample for instruction-related activities. Only 65 percent of the libraries in the sample advertised library instruction as a service on the Web, while 64 percent of the libraries boasted research guides and tutorials. Sixteen percent of the libraries provided direct links to ACRL's Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, and 24 percent made an effort to explain and define the term “information literacy” to their users. The authors hope the findings can help determine how academic libraries are currently using the Internet to increase information literacy on the Web and set a new platform for better strategies for advocating informa...
12 citations
TL;DR: The authors explore the possibilities offered by using augmented reality to employ contextually situated information inside and outside the library and its holdings, and suggest practical applications including development of instructional resources that make use of interactive print for contextual delivery.
Abstract: The authors recount their recent augmented reality project at an academic library serving 10,000 undergraduate and 1,600 graduate students, experimenting with augmented reality to connect vetted resources via interactive print or geolocation. These technologies enable colocation of digital and analog resources and can offer rich experiences to the end user: experiences consisting of text, hypertext, and Web scripting, audio, video, and even 3-D modeling. The authors examine library and academic uses of augmented reality technologies that inspired their own projects. They explore the possibilities offered by using augmented reality to employ contextually situated information inside and outside the library and its holdings. Technical details discussed include multimedia creation and database setup. Potential challenges include the problem of geolocation granularity and cellular signal strength. The iterative and transitory nature of information objects linked by augmented reality is addressed, including the...
10 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored emerging library discovery positions and discovery requirements gleaned through position postings from Autocat, Code4Lib, ERIL-L, and NGC4Lib listserv e-mails, from February 2012 through July 2014, along with a 2013 scan of Association of Research Library (ARL) staff directories' Web sites.
Abstract: Web-scale discovery service systems and platforms are continuing to evolve and become more commonly adopted in academic libraries Functioning as more than next-generation catalogs due to their volume and associated Web services, they invite strategic inquiry and launch libraries into deeper questioning and continuous critical thinking concerning discovery system best practices This article explores emerging library discovery positions and discovery requirements gleaned through position postings from Autocat, Code4Lib, ERIL-L, and NGC4Lib listserv e-mails, from February 2012 through July 2014, along with a 2013 scan of Association of Research Library (ARL) staff directories’ Web sites As seen through the lens of recent discovery position postings and names of discovery positions at ARL libraries, staffing solutions suggest strategic oversight and deep understanding of discovery systems, metadata, and users This study of 36 discovery positions reveals directors or managers as comprising the highest numb
TL;DR: Findings suggest that graduate students are using both library collections and Web crawlers to satisfy literature search assignments when not directed to specific portals, suggesting that librarian knowledge of open access empirical literature may be of much value when providing resource instruction within the current information environment.
Abstract: This study provides a unique, longitudinal perspective on the selection and use of open access journals by graduate students enrolled in a regularly offered educational trends and issues course. Faculty expectations for this course are that students will conduct literature searches and use articles that are empirical studies from peer-reviewed journals, published within the previous ten years. Reference lists of 382 students were collected between 2005 and 2013, and reviewed for inclusion of articles from open access journals. Of 594 unique journal titles, 68 (11.45 percent) were available under various open access conditions. Findings suggest that graduate students are using both library collections and Web crawlers to satisfy literature search assignments when not directed to specific portals. Consequently, librarian knowledge of open access empirical literature may be of much value when providing resource instruction within the current information environment.
TL;DR: A study assessing the usability of the library's Web site for tablets and mobile devices, which includes survey feedback and three rounds of usability testing, finds that more decisions are data-driven and based on user expectations.
Abstract: Cal Poly Pomona University Library launched its first mobile Web site in 2007. The continuous development of the library's mobile Web sites has mostly been informed by feedback from library staff rather than from student users. As mobile devices and tablets become more prevalent among college students, it is crucial to gain a better understanding of students’ mobile and tablet usage patterns so that more decisions are data-driven and based on user expectations. This article details the findings from a study assessing the usability of the library's Web site for tablets and mobile devices, which includes survey feedback and three rounds of usability testing.
TL;DR: Usability studies found that users had difficulty navigating the functions of the online public access catalog (OPAC) and could not easily differentiate among items that were immediately available, available in a few days, or available online as a preview.
Abstract: In 2009, the Technology Development Team at the New York-based Information Delivery Services (IDS) Project created IDS Search, a consortial catalog that promoted the group's collection and interlibrary loan features equally with the local collection and local availability. Because the success of IDS Search relied heavily on users fully understanding the different types of availability, the authors conducted usability studies to investigate how well users could determine how to locate materials and understand the availability of items. Eye-tracking analysis was used to determine how well users understood availability, related text, and meanings of terms. The studies found that users had difficulty navigating the functions of the online public access catalog (OPAC) and could not easily differentiate among items that were immediately available, available in a few days, or available online as a preview.
TL;DR: Results show an overall pattern of uniformity but also reveal zones where usage deviates significantly from expected values, which are potentially useful to researchers in other fields interested in evaluating geographic patterns for online applications intended for outreach and information delivery.
Abstract: This study uses Web analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of online maps to support community outreach efforts. The Wisconsin State Cartographer's Office has long used Web technology, including online map applications, to deliver geospatial information to citizens of Wisconsin. This study focuses on one of these applications, the Wisconsin Historic Aerial Image Finder (WHAIFinder), which provides online access to a rare collection of aerial photographs from the 1930s. The goal of this study is to assess whether WHAIFinder has succeeded in providing broad statewide access to the digital collection. As such, the study asks whether usage rates for the application are essentially uniform across the state or if there are regions where usage is lower or higher than expected. The study's approach is inherently geographic due to its concern with patterns of use reflecting local variations in demand, access, and knowledge. Regression techniques and geographic analysis methods were used to model relationships in ...
TL;DR: Students generally fared well when asked to identify suitable books for their research topic, but they encountered many difficulties interpreting article records and identifying appropriate articles, and some WorldCat Local interface features appeared to be either the source of student problems or were not used effectively.
Abstract: The College of St. Benedict and St. John's University Library have used WorldCat Local as a discovery tool since 2008. After four years of use and numerous anecdotes about the difficulties encountered with this product, a committee was formed to test the tool's usability and effectiveness. Seven female and six male students were asked to find appropriate materials within WorldCat Local for a mock research assignment. The students’ research and thought processes were recorded and studied. The recordings were analyzed by the committee, and the search strategies as well as the materials selected by the students were evaluated and scored. Although the sample size limits generalizability, the videos provided an in-depth look into the students’ research processes and their evaluation of what they found. Students generally fared well when asked to identify suitable books for their research topic, but they encountered many difficulties interpreting article records and identifying appropriate articles. Some WorldC...
TL;DR: This article demonstrates an online wayfinding system that could show patrons, faculty, staff, and students not only the location of a library or another campus building, but also an individual office location on a building floor plan.
Abstract: A Web site is often the first stop for a person trying to determine how to get to a person based in a library or a college campus building. The Web site, and the in-built online directory, may provide the building name and office number for a library staff or a faculty member, but these can be out-of-date and do not provide complete information for the person to find the office location. This article demonstrates an online wayfinding system that could show patrons, faculty, staff, and students not only the location of a library or another campus building, but also an individual office location on a building floor plan. A proof-of-concept was developed using HTML and CSS. The simplicity of the concept and implementation ensures that most libraries and college campuses can implement this wayfinding system using basic Web design skills, while greatly helping first-time visitors to specific offices. The system addresses the issue of frequent office moves and staff changes, and provides a richer cognitive map ...
TL;DR: This case study examines the various iterations of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Libraries Web site from 1996 to the present, noting issues with each version, reasons leading to change, the people responsible for Web site decision-making, and the specific changes incorporated over time.
Abstract: A strong Webmaster, additions and reorganizations of staff, a library commitment to providing the user with an effective site, changes in the site's focus, and external factors such as technological improvements and changes in user expectations are all factors that can trigger changes in a library Web site's design. Yet these changes are not necessarily always progressive evolutions. This case study examines the various iterations of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Libraries Web site from 1996 to the present, noting issues with each version, reasons leading to change, the people responsible for Web site decision-making, and the specific changes incorporated over time. In particular, the authors reviewed the usability test results for each of the tested designs, noting whether the identified problems were addressed in the redesign process and highlighting the usability problems that found their way back into the site in later redesigns. This study, which speculates on reasons for the reoccurrence of usa...
TL;DR: This study aims to provide information about the current state of knowledge on Indonesian LIS professionals’ understanding of Library 2.0 and inform LIS curriculum in Indonesia so as to develop practitioners who are able to adapt to users’ changing needs and expectations.
Abstract: The literature around Library 2.0 remains largely theoretical with few empirical studies and is particularly limited in developing countries such as Indonesia. This study addresses this gap and aims to provide information about the current state of knowledge on Indonesian LIS professionals’ understanding of Library 2.0. The researchers used qualitative and quantitative approaches for this study, asking thirteen closed- and open-ended questions in an online survey. The researchers used descriptive and in vivo coding to analyze the responses. Through their analysis, they identified three themes: technology, interactivity, and awareness of Library 2.0. Respondents demonstrated awareness of Library 2.0 and a basic understanding of the roles of interactivity and technology in libraries. However, overreliance on technology used in libraries to conceptualize Library 2.0 without an emphasis on its core characteristics and principles could lead to the misalignment of limited resources. The study results will poten...
TL;DR: The book has a very useful set of considerations for any type of library staff who want to improve their institution’s online presence and includes suggestions for preparing for future developments like the evolution of e-books, augmented reality, and precision tagging within Web pages.
Abstract: Written by experienced Web developer and author Peter Gasston, The Modern Web explains the newest Web technologies that allow developers to design for phones as well as huge HDTVs. The book is divi...