User Research Projects

Discover how our collaborative projects are transforming the way you experience our library.

Framing The Future

photo of students gathering at the Framing The Future event

Collaborative Engagement: UAlbany Libraries, in collaboration with the Space Planning Team, Dean's Office, and various library departments, hosted the Framing the Future event to actively engage students in shaping the future of the University Libraries.

Objective: The event aimed to gather valuable student input and insights to inform the evolution of library spaces, resources, and services, ensuring they align with student needs and preferences.

Key Activities:

  • Furniture Testing: Students had the opportunity to test drive sample furniture for reimagined library spaces, providing feedback on comfort, functionality, and aesthetics.
  • Technology Demonstrations: New technologies being considered for implementation were showcased, allowing students to experience and provide feedback on their potential impact and usability.
  • Interactive Building Directory: Students explored a new interactive building directory and shared their thoughts on its effectiveness in enhancing wayfinding and accessibility within the library.
  • Space Conceptualizations: Conceptualizations for reimagined library spaces were presented, enabling students to visualize future possibilities and contribute their ideas and preferences.
  • Staff Interactions: Library staff engaged with students, offering insights into current services, resources, and spaces, fostering meaningful connections and gathering student perspectives.

Impact: The Framing the Future event empowered students to actively participate in the development of their University Libraries. The event helps in creating user-centered spaces, resources, and services that truly meet the evolving needs of the student community. This collaborative approach strengthens the bond between the libraries and its primary users, ensuring a future that is shaped by and for our users.
Framing The Future WebPage

What is the new discovery tool called?

University Libraries Search Tool

Overview: To select a name for our new library discovery tool, Primo VE by Ex Libris, a survey was conducted to gather input from our user community.

Survey Period and Participation: The survey ran for a week from January 23rd to January 30th, capturing the fresh perspectives of users at the beginning of the semester. We received 34 responses.

Options and Feedback:

  • Choice Range: Participants were given four naming options to choose from.
  • General Sentiment: The majority (37%) expressed that none of the proposed names stood out positively.
  • Specific Concerns: A significant portion (42%) of this group pinpointed the use of the 'i-prefix' as a reason for the names not standing out favorably.
  • Preference Ranking: Among the named options, 'iFind' emerged as the second most popular choice, followed by 'iSeek'.

Outcome: The survey results highlighted a preference trend and specific feedback about naming conventions, providing valuable insights for the final decision-making process for naming our new discovery tool.

"Your Favorite Chair" Project at Dewey Library

softly lit reading nook with leather seating and a bookshelf in the Dewey Library

Project Concept: The "Your Favorite Chair" project was an engaging initiative aimed at enhancing the comfort and appeal of the Dewey Library's study nook.

Participatory Selection Process:

  • Chair Options: Library users were presented with a choice of three Steelcase chairs, each accompanied by detailed information.
  • User Voting: Patrons participated in the selection process by leaving post-it notes to vote for their preferred chair.

Implementation:

  • Community Choice: The chair receiving the most votes was subsequently added to the library's study nook, reflecting the users' collective preference.

Outcome:

  • Enhanced Study Environment: The addition of the chosen chair significantly contributed to creating a cozier and more user-friendly study space.
  • User Engagement: This project not only improved the physical space but also fostered a sense of community and ownership among the library users.

Database Finder Tool Upgrade Project

Screenshot of upgraded database finder tool with rainbow overlay

Project Overview: We embarked on a major upgrade of our Database Finder Tool, transitioning from a homegrown application to the robust LibGuide A-Z Database List. This upgrade was aimed at enhancing user experience and streamlining database management.

Collaboration and Feedback:

  • Inclusive Development: The development process was a collaborative effort, involving input from the Student Advisory Board, librarians, faculty, and students.
  • Feedback-Driven Improvements: We provided a full semester for our university community to test the new tool and submit feedback, which was crucial in refining and optimizing the tool's functionality.
  • Responsive Adaptation: All received feedback was carefully reviewed and addressed, leading to several user-focused changes implemented over the fall semester.

System Migration:

  • Team Effort: Over the winter break, a large team of staff members undertook the meticulous task of transitioning hundreds of database links from the old system to the new one.
  • Streamlining Link Management: The new system’s key feature allows for updating database links in a single location, a significant improvement over the previous HTML link setup across 300 LibGuides.

Outcome:

  • User-Centric Design: The upgraded Database Finder Tool now incorporates popular features from the old tool, enhanced by user feedback.
  • Efficient Management: The new system simplifies the management of database links, ensuring ease of updates and maintenance.
  • Collaborative Success: This project stands as a testament to the power of teamwork and user-centric design in creating efficient and effective library resources.
Visit Database Finder

Digital Wayfinding Kiosk Project Summary

Wayfinding iPad kiosk at the main service desk at the University Library

Collaboration and Design: In a collaborative effort with the Campus Center administration and University Marketing, UAlbany Libraries spearheaded the design and deployment of a cutting-edge digital wayfinding kiosk.

Objective: This initiative aimed to revolutionize how students navigate the University Library by providing an interactive, digital guide.

Key Features:

  • User-Friendly Navigation: The kiosk offers an intuitive interface, allowing students to easily find locations within the library.
  • Interactive Map: Includes an interactive map with key library destinations marked for quick identification.
  • Real-Time Information: Provides real-time updates on library services, events, and room availability.

Impact: The digital wayfinding kiosk has significantly enhanced the student experience by simplifying library navigation, reducing confusion, and improving access to library resources and facilities.

Website Navigation Study Summary

students lined up sitting at computers

Overview: We conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness and user-friendliness of our website's navigation system.

Participation and Completion Rate:

  • Total Participants: 343 users started the study.
  • Completion Rate: 198 participants (58%) completed the study, while 145 users abandoned it after starting.

Time Analysis:

  • Median Completion Time: The study took a median time of 5 minutes and 20 seconds to complete.
  • Time Range: Completion times varied significantly, with the longest being 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 11 seconds, and the shortest at just 8 seconds.

User Categorization:

  • Categories Created: Participants collectively created a total of 908 categories.
  • Median Categories per Participant: Each participant, on average, devised 4 navigation categories.

Insights: This study offered valuable insights into user interaction with our website's navigation, highlighting areas of efficiency and aspects needing improvement. The  categories created by users provide key data points for optimizing our website's user experience.

Library System Statuses

screenshot of Primo discovery service and system status widget

Overview: We have successfully implemented an innovative and award-winning system status dashboard. This digital platform is designed to enhance communication by providing real-time updates on changes to our library resources and services.

Purpose: The primary goal of this initiative is to improve transparency within the library system. By keeping users informed about the status of various services and resources, we aim to enhance their overall experience and assist in more effective reference and research activities.

Features:

  • Real-Time Updates: The dashboard offers up-to-the-minute information on the operational status of library resources and services.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring that all users can easily navigate and understand the system's information.
  • Improved Transparency: By proactively sharing updates and changes, the dashboard fosters a transparent and trustworthy environment for library users.

Impact: This project represents a significant step towards improving the user experience in our library, demonstrating our commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced service delivery and user satisfaction.
Visit System Statuses

Library Database Finder Review

Database Finder screenshot

Objective: This project aimed to enhance the user experience of our database finder tool, making it easier and more intuitive for users to search, understand, and access the library's vast database collection.

Methodology: We employed user journey mapping to meticulously analyze the process users undergo when searching for, comprehending, and accessing databases.

Scope of Review: A comprehensive review was conducted on 398 databases to assess their accessibility and clarity.

Key Findings:

  • Accessibility Issues: A notable percentage of the databases were found to be inaccessible due to broken links, which impeded the completion of database access tasks.
  • Clarity Challenges: There were difficulties in understanding what users were accessing in a significant number of databases. This was primarily due to incorrect, abbreviated, or outdated database names.

Recommendations:

  • Database Names Update: We recommended updating database names to ensure accuracy and clarity.
  • Removal of Redundancies: Suggestions were made to eliminate out-of-date and duplicate database entries to streamline the user experience.

Dewey Library Entryway Reconfiguration Project

view of Dewey Library front entryway taken from the balcony.

Objective: The project focused on reorganizing and assessing the furniture arrangement at the Dewey Library to enhance accessibility and ease of entry.

Approach:

  • Space Assessment: Conducted a thorough evaluation of the entryway space to identify optimal furniture placement.
  • Accessibility Enhancement: Key changes were made to ensure that pathways into the building were accessible to all library users, including those with mobility challenges.

Outcome:

  • Improved Navigation: The reconfiguration resulted in clearer, more navigable pathways into the library.
  • Enhanced User Experience: These changes have made entering and using the Dewey Library a more comfortable and accessible experience for all visitors.

Impact: This initiative demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity and user comfort, ensuring that the library's physical space meets the diverse needs of our community.

Web Content Style Guide

Screenshot of web content style guide

UX-Driven Content Creation: In collaboration with the Usability, Discovery, and Online Content Committee, we developed a comprehensive Web Content Style Guide to ensure consistent, user-centered content across all library platforms and materials.

Objective: The guide aims to establish a cohesive and user-friendly content strategy that enhances the user experience and improves the effectiveness of library communications.

Key Features:

  • Best Practices: The guide incorporates industry best practices for web writing, focusing on key user tasks and keeping content up-to-date and relevant.
  • Consistency: It provides guidelines for maintaining consistency in tone, style, and formatting across various library platforms, including the website, social media, research guides, and FAQs.
  • User-Centered Language: The guide emphasizes the use of reliable, understandable, and friendly language to engage and support library users effectively.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: The style guide covers a wide range of content areas, including web writing best practices, tricky library terminology, web elements, database descriptions, research guides, and social media.
  • Living Document: The guide is designed as a living document that can be updated and enhanced as needed, ensuring it remains relevant and adapts to evolving user needs and preferences.

Impact: By implementing the Web Content Style Guide, UAlbany Libraries demonstrates its commitment to creating a user-centered content ecosystem. The guide empowers library staff to produce high-quality, consistent, and user-friendly content across all platforms. This approach enhances the UX, improves the discoverability and accessibility of library resources, and strengthens the library's role as a reliable and supportive partner in the academic journey of its users.
Web Content Style Guide

Your favorite chair

Dewey Library users picked their favorite chair for the cozy library Nook