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Uploaded byKen Varnum
Findability: Information, Not Location
The document discusses the challenges faced by the University of Michigan Library system due to a lack of a cohesive web presence and navigation structure, leading to difficulties for users in finding information. It outlines a phased approach to improve the system, focusing on consistent branding, unified navigation, and enhanced findability while emphasizing user needs and feedback. The long-term goals include breaking down information silos, creating an effective search solution, and developing a user-friendly interface for a unified web experience.
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Findability: Information, Not Location
- 1. Session A305 Findability: Information Not Location University Library University of Michigan Mike Creech Web Content Manager [email_address] Ken Varnum Web Systems Manager [email_address]
- 2. Introduction/Overview A BriefHistory of Our Version of Reality The current collection of sites for the Library System has grown with no particular plan and each one has its own design and architecture. The sites correspond with previous library organizational structures but really make no sense to our users or even to some staff members. Beyond basic information, users need to know which of the libraries holds particular materials and how to use the site of that library.
- 3. What We HaveNow About 33 sites served from lib.umich.edu About 52,000 pages of content Does not include: Public Health library Digital library Scholarly publishing Institutional repository Every month Average of ~3,000,000 pages viewed Average of ~500,000 users served
- 4. My God, WhatHave We Done?
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- 10. You get thepicture
- 11. "I Can't FindAnything." This is how the problem was presented In discussions with management and staff: Navigation to known objects difficult Search & findability a challenge Branding (as we’ve seen) uneven at best Sense of place totally absent
- 12. Phased Approach Aband-aid Consistent navigation and branding Major surgery Reinventing the entire web presence
- 13. Short-Term Goals Standardglobal navigation Extending “MLibrary” branding More consistency in layout Brought content into sharper relief Moved toward unified web site for system
- 14. Phase I: MLibrarificationThis included most of the library sites. Goal: Consistent navigation and sense of place Out of scope defined by Significant programming overhead Significant complexity of pages Volume of usage vs. size of site
- 15. More MLibrarification Reviewednavigation elements each site used Created a global scheme to incorporate consistency Extended the MLibrary brand Preserved local autonomy over look and feel of each site’s content during the transition
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- 19. Long-Term Goals Engineera more effective search solution Break down the silos that hold our information Create an ordered and consistent navigation scheme Provide users an opportunity to build pathways we did not see
- 20. Phase II: Informationnot Location Eliminating silos Fostering community Highlighting context Improving findability Syndicating content
- 21. Phase II: Process Focus Groups Formal Survey One Question Survey Server Access Log and Google Analytics Analysis Initiate on-going conversations with MLibrary stakeholders Review and assess existing content
- 22. What We've FoundUsers want importance to be obvious Users don’t differentiate between silos, tools and services Users come to the library website with a task, not necessarily a resource in mind
- 23. Process So FarGenerated buy-in from administration Extended the brand across all sites Established Advisory Groups Approach User Interface Design Information Architecture Technology Faculty Communicating with library staff Team blog Staff newsletter
- 24. MTagger: Down withSilos!
- 25. Collections Five atpresent MLibrary Mirlyn Digital Images Scholarly Publishing Other In development MBooks Link Resolver
- 26. Getting Stuff OutRSS Feeds API JSON PHP Styled HTML
- 27. Tagging from TagCloud
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- 29. Who Does theTagging
- 30. Next Steps Selectand implement a CMS Select an open-source search tool Develop the information architecture and user interface for the unified web presence Migrate content and applications into the CMS Production server live by end of year
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- 32. Thank You http://lib.umich.eduSlides http://www.varnum.org/papers/cil2008.ppt Mike Creech Web Content Manager [email_address] Ken Varnum Web Systems Manager [email_address]
Editor's Notes
- #2 Mike starts here and goes through and including “Long Term Goals” (slide 19?) A bit of background information: over the past several years, it was determined that the web presence of the libraries in the University Library System needed some attention. As the web sites developed and grew (independent of one another) since the fall of 1994, there was no plan that moved them all in the same direction. Within the past year and a half, it was determined that something needed to change. This resulted in the creation of the Web Content Manager and Web Systems Manager positions. The creation of a team to coordinate the redesign and ongoing development of the web presence has proved valuable so far, since neither Ken nor Mike have a personal investment in the content, architecture or applications that are currently served from the site(s). We feel fortunate Senior management as well as Library Staff had concluded that change was necessary prior to our arrival and that we have been tasked with developing a plan and process to make it happen, rather than convince either of those groups that change is needed.