Focus on Assessment - Nov 9, 2009

Enter the Penn State University Libraries. Several years ago, the Libraries implemented a CMS
(content management system) to better control its Web presence. "A CMS is a computer
application used to manage work flow needed to collaboratively create, edit, review, index,
search, publish and archive various kinds of digital media and electronic text."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_management_system) Moving to this new system also
provided the opportunity to reassess priorities and ensure that Web content is easily available to
any and all users. Hence an increased focus on both accessibility and usability, though for this
article we are focusing specifically on the latter.

Let's keep it simple and provide a brief overview of our efforts thus far and what to expect for
the future. The Libraries Web site is now undergoing a software upgrade and a complete
redesign by an outside designer; more on that here:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/ful105/blogs/psu_libraries_web_site_redesign/.

To assist the designer and select the best possible options, a small group of Libraries staff and faculty have been conducting usability studies on the existing Web site as well as potential new designs. From sidewalk design to building layouts and signage, usability testing is a valuable tool. While frequently used in the context of the Web, usability testing is an assessment technique that has broad applications in many fields. These tests can be as simple or as complex as you choose. Our own have ranged from simple card sorts, which are "a method for discovering the latent structure in an unsorted list of statements or ideas"

(http://www.usabilitynet.org/tools/cardsorting.htm) to full-on testing involving screen-recording software. One such example of a simple study: we set up a table and arranged index cards into five columns. We then asked patrons to label each of the columns with the term that best described them. We used this method to test the validity of our naming conventions. Previously, we studied the existing Web site and key areas that had been identified by users as possible problem areas. This information led us to a designer and the current redesign where we have been testing terms, navigation location, the search box, and more.

There's much more than can be written about usability, but what's important is why it is such a
priority here at the Libraries. Usability allows us to validate our work. It allows us to say
definitively "yes" when users ask if we've chosen the best possible options for our online
presence. There's much more to come as we begin work on the beta version of our new Web site.
Expect to have plenty of opportunities to provide feedback and ideas as the process continues.

Have questions about assessment? Want to suggest a topic for a future column? Contact the
Library Assessment and Metrics Council at ul-assessment-council@lists.psu.edu.

For more information on the Library Assessment and Metrics Council see:
https://intranet.libraries.psu.edu/home/groups/assesscouncil.html