Working together: Using student-driven UX projects to improve library websites

Abstract

Web design standards have evolved considerably since the introduction of smartphones and tablets, but many academic library websites have fallen behind, perhaps due to a lack of internal user experience (UX) research and design practices. This article presents a discussion of various UX research and design methods undertaken by the Pratt Institute Libraries via collaboration with courses in Pratt’s School of Information. Projects discussed include web analytics, user testing, online surveys, personas definition, card sorting, and prototyping. The insights gained from this study may be of assistance to other academic libraries planning to redesign and improve their online experience.

Keywords:

• UX research
• UX design
• digital analytics
• usability
• collaboration

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the hard work and contributions of the students who undertook the UX design and research activities presented in this paper: Armon Burton, Kai Ying Chang, Wren Chavers, Yang Cong, Mary Ellen Curley, Rachel Daniell, Elise Fu, Armando Garcia, Hyerim Hwang, Dilasha Jain, Sanchit Kumar, Manasi Muke, Kimie Ou Yang, Jamie Raymond, Sara Ribaudo, Naman Sehgal, Shuchao Song, Alexandra Srp, Edra Stafaj, Katherine Stanley, Xueping Wu, Yiren Xu, Harry Zhang, and Michelle Zhang.

The authors would like to acknowledge the work of the Pratt Institute Libraries Website Committee who reviewed UX deliverables, made decisions regarding implementation, and assisted in the development of the Pratt Institute Libraries web space: Alan Behler, Johanna Bauman, Cheryl Costello, Nick Dease, Matthew Garklavs, and Lore Guilmartin.