Library Website Card Sorting
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A Study Generated from the Library Website Terms Study
Overview
From the Librarian Website Terms case study, I discovered there were too many terms on the website. Some of these terms were related and could be chunked together.
Goals
Because some terms were related, we wanted to create consolidate links for better navigation and usability.
The various links on the library's website, not including sub-links.
How It Was Done
Iteration 1
Library website link names/terms were printed cut so that students could categorize the links in groups. The cutout website names were presented to students spread randomly on a table. Students were asked about their decision-making as they grouped names. Later, these student groupings were compared to the current library website layout.
Iteration 2
Using the students’ categories along with the current layout and information on the website, I created headings. A set of nedew students group the items under the “new” headings.
Links from the library's homepage.
What Was Discovered
There is so much information on the library's webpage that it can be overwhelming for students. Information should be clear and straight to the point so that students can navigate successfully to find what they need. When students have to sift and scroll through lots of information, they may leave the site resulting in a missed opportunity for the library to support them.
Students placed like terms together (ex. Links with the words library and research were placed in the same category).
Students didn't know the meaning behind certain terms such as "Instruction." Some thought it was for tutoring and others thought it was for class instruction, not necessarily related to the library. The Instruction link takes them to a form for faculty to sign up for Library Information Literacy sessions with a librarian.
Students said that there were too many links.
Next Steps
Based on students' card sorting and previous experience:
Add a link for the term “research” to group resources (ex. Ebooks, databases, etc.).
Add a link to chunk general library information (ex. news, FAQs, policies, etc.).
From my previous experience, I noticed that nursing students used the chatbox often, so there is a need for a link to Nursing information (Nursing Librarians and/or guides). There is also a large population of nursing students.
Ad an information pop-up bubble to explain terms.
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