Michael Rawlins gave a presentation to Connecticut librarians on why usability and user experience matters. He defined usability as how effective, easy to learn, efficient, memorable, and satisfying a system is for users. He emphasized the importance of designing based on users' mental models of how things should work. Rawlins recommended libraries focus on the user experience by observing patrons, thinking from their perspective, and leveraging social tools to remain relevant as disruptive forces change how information is accessed.

1. Why Usability and User
Experience Matters
Michael Rawlins, Certified Usability Analyst
Presentation for The State of Connecticut Librarians Roundtable

2. about me...
- Director of User Experience for a global software firm
- Over 20 years of Fortune 100 company experience
- President, CT Usability Professionals Association
- Adjunct Professor, Manchester Community College
- Certified Usability Analyst (CUA)

3. truth be told...
“I haven’t been in a library for three years...”

4. value proposition...
Every dollar invested in Usability returns $10 to $100
better process... human centered design method
a human center approach enables you to:
realize better business requirements (become strategic)
establish a new value proposition
reinvent yourself
attract and retain audiences

5. a few definitions...

6. usability?
• Effectiveness - can users achieve their goals
• Ease of learning - how fast do they learn the interface or
system construct
• Efficiency of use - how fast users complete tasks
• Memorability - short & long term memory leveraged
• Error prevention - is there forgiveness
• User satisfaction - do users like the application

7. mental model?
• “Things should work the way we
think they should work...”
• break the user’s mental model -
they respond negatively

8. click to play
Enable technology to handle routine tasks...

9. innovation?
“It’s still a just box that keeps things cold...”

10. disruptive forces?

11. “It’s pretty easy to find
what you want... The
lighting is good -- and
it provides cozy areas
to sit relax and read.
The information desk
is in the middle of the
store. It’s the first
thing you see when
you come in the
store...”
Quote by Baby Boomer

12. “Like its sister the iPhone, the iPad will redefine access to information and services...”

13. “I wish there was like a
Netflix for books. Like you
can just order whatever you
want, and then when you’re
done you can just give it back
and take out another one.”
Millennium generational point of view
Source: Nate Bolt of Bolt|Peters

14. Source: PEW Research

15. Source: PEW Research

16. “Libraries can appear in Linkedin companies section...”

17. “The New York Public Library has a presence in Facebook...”

18. user experience?

19. Michael Cunnings | uxdesign.com

21. People Before Systems
Nate Bolt of Bolt|Peters

22. Experience Before Systems
Nate Bolt of Bolt|Peters

23. Business Logic ≠ Intuition
Nate Bolt of Bolt|Peters

24. recommendations
1.Watch five people use your website.
2.Watch five people navigate your library.
3.Build something using a social networking tool.
4.Think from the users point of view.

25. suggested reading...

26. questions...

27. thank you!
michael.rawlins@gmail.com
http://www.michaelrawlins.com
http://www.ctupa.org