Bright new design for catalogue

A modern easy to use interface has been introduced for the library catalogue. The new design of the catalogue can be seen at http://library.monash.edu.au/ . The redesign of the catalogue is the result of a 3-round usability study in which students and staff were tested to find ways in which using the catalogue could be made more user-friendly. This information has been supplemented by research into how catalogues look and operate at other university libraries, and expert advice on usability and accessibility of web pages.

The result will be less confusion for users, as the search screen has been laid out more logically. Extra links and repeated links have been removed from the screen, and labels for buttons changed where terminology was causing confusion, for example. "My Loans" is used instead of "My Details". A new button is provided which should prove very popular with users-"Find more like this". Having looked up a book, the user can click on this button to find books by the same author or on the same topic.

Web Resources and Development (a department within the Monash University Information Technology Services Division) undertook a usability study of the library catalogue between November 2004 and April 2005. The study aimed to improve ease of use and the aesthetic appeal of the catalogue. It investigated how easily users could perform tasks like searching for a book or journal, putting in a request for a book from another campus or checking what books they had on loan, and whether they understood the purpose of different buttons on the screen. Study participants were asked to indicate what parts of the catalogue they found confusing or difficult to use.

The usability study provided the basis from which library staff members could effect improvements to the catalogue's interface. The changes will also affect the past exams database.

Monash University Library is committed to providing the best service possible to staff and students, and the redesign of the catalogue is but one aspect of enhanced technology based services in the library. Other recent improvements include significant extension of the Monash University Lectures Online service and the installation of wireless capability in most branches.

More information is available online.

01 December 2005

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The new interface.