In Spring 2024, I took User Experience with Professor Aaron Schmidt. I chose to take this course because at my current job, the first interaction our patrons have with our library is through our website and I want to make sure that first impression is a good one.Â
I learned a tremendous amount through each of the hands-on homework assignments. Through the website analysis assignment and usability testing assignment, I learned to examine libraries from the point of view of a patron or a visitor, instead of as a librarian, which was incredibly eye-opening. The rewriting web content assignment and the reading -Â Letting go of the words has really made me rethink the amount of unnecessary verbiage we have a hard time letting go! I have already started incorporating the techniques I learned in this class and applying them to my library's website to better serve my patrons.
User experience (UX) characterizes how a person feels about a product, system, or service. User experience and design thinking can be applied to all aspects of libraries: from everything in your physical buildings to your library’s online presence. Librarians are the designers of the way users experience library services, resources, and programs. In this course, you will explore: The relationship between design thinking, user experience, and innovation Touchpoints found in library buildings The user experience elements of a library website Usability techniques and website improvements UX for the future of libraries Good design, in library buildings and online, goes much deeper than choosing colors; it requires learning about communities and meeting their needs. You'll gain a toolbox of UX techniques, including user interviews, surveys, focus groups, personas, customer journey maps, and contextual inquiries. With a sharper analytical eye and UX design skills, you'll be able to optimize, create, and innovate for current and future library users.Â
Explain the elements of a good user experience.
Describe user research techniques and a design and innovation methodology.
Articulate the relationship between design thinking, user experience, and innovation.
Analyze library websites with user research techniques.
Evaluate a library website and identify good aspects and areas that could be improved.
Describe how libraries can improve their physical touchpoints with user research techniques.
Apply design thinking to identify opportunites for libraries.
Identify nontraditional user-centered library programs or services and use them to explain opportunities for future libraries.
Usability Observations
Overall Assessment
Script
Scenarios
Realistic Version
Improved Version
First Service Safari
Second Service Safari
Notes and Reflection
Original Sign
Redesigned Sign
Original Sign
Redesigned Sign