A Study in Usability: Redesigning a Health Sciences Library's Mobile Site

Abstract

A mobile site redesign was conducted at a medium-sized academic health sciences library with the goal of creating a site that meets the mobile information needs of its users. The redesign phases included (1) needs assessment, (2) usability testing, and (3) site design. The survey results showed that Apple devices were the most prevalent; the most desirable activities performed on a mobile site were searching for articles, accessing full-text articles and e-books, searching databases, and searching the catalog. These activities guided the development of the usability testing tasks and the redesign. All phases were completed within six months, and the total project cost was $50 for incentive purchases.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic health sciences libraries
• evaluation
• internet
• mobile devices
• smartphones
• usability method
• usability testing
• website design

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express appreciation to the other members of the mobile committee, Afsar Mohiuddin and Haldor Lougee-Heimer.

Notes

This article is based on a poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association, May 17, 2011.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jovy-Anne Rosario

Jovy-Anne Rosario, MLIS ([email protected]) is Instructional Design Librarian

Marie T. Ascher

Marie T. Ascher, MS ([email protected]) is Associate Director, User Support, Education and Research Services

Diana J. Cunningham

Diana J. Cunningham, MLS, MPH ([email protected]) is Associate Dean and Director; all at the Health Sciences Library, New York Medical College, Basic Sciences Building, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595.