The Observer, February 22, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 18
Redesign makes library website easier to navigate
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Kelvin Smith Library is a second home for many students, whether it be Monday afternoon or Friday evening. The new library homepage provides students with that same comforting feeling of home accessible right from their own room.
The most recent redesign of the KSL website was guided by Optiem, one of the top interactive marketing agencies in Cleveland. Working with the library technical team, Optiem was responsible for the redesign of the library website started last spring. A beta version of the website was launched in December and the website went live on Jan. 7.
Although the library has changed its internet façade three times in the past decade, this recent change is particularly important.
"Students had a definite role in how the homepage looks and works," said Karen Oye, head of customer services for the library. With the previous two changes, students were able to comment on what they would like to see and the library's technical team would address those concerns. This time, however, KSL went directly to the students to get input.
Beginning last spring, KSL invited students to join several focus groups. The focus groups, headed by two members from Optiem, included volunteer students who saw fliers in the library that sought student opinion. Oye also went to USG and the Graduate Student Senate, some of the largest on-campus organizations, for volunteers to help lead the focus groups. Select faculty, library staff, and student employees also participated. Optiem approached the focus groups with various library websites as benchmarks. Nathan Lambert, KSL chief technology officer, facilitated the conversations between Optiem and the focus groups.
Optiem incorporated the results of the focus groups as best as possible. There were several serious changes that occurred. The new homepage "steps away from the strict template that many other campus websites use, but it still maintains the campus website template," said Oye. This strict template is the standardized font, blank space on the right hand side of websites, and general feel of each page that became a standard practice for Case websites in August 2004. In addition, the photos on KSL's homepage are not stock photos, but rather actual photos of students working in the library.
The biggest complaint addressed by the focus groups was to make the new webpage more user-friendly. Students no longer have to scour the library site to find information.
"The new library website provides a much more pleasant and colorful interface. Any and all useful links are displayed prominently on the front page, allowing the user to access whatever tools one may be looking for with just one click of a mouse," said sophomore Ross Phar.
Everything is right at the student's fingertips. "The library is a go-to place for students. They should feel the same way about the library website. The website is now more of a one-stop shop, with the inclusion of the search feature front and center," said Oye.
Students can easily find the hours of operation and monthly CaseLearns schedule that are located at the top of the page. Students are also able to find out about library events and special sessions that are updated frequently and listed in the KSL blog.
There are three search tabs on the site. The catalog tab allows students to search the library from the main page. The previous design had the library website and card catalog as separate pages.
The "everything" tab helps students gather information from outside resources that the library has subscriptions to online. Students can enter search categories such as science or business and find several resources available right from the homepage.
The last tab, "KSL site," searches the KSL webpage for any inquiry.
Another addition to the library front page is a red light/green light that feature allows students to determine whether or not they are connected to the Case network. A red light means that students are not connected to the network and will not have access to any of the library's resources. If on wireless or not on campus students must connect through VPN. Once connected, a green light should appear and will allow students to gain access to all of the library's resources.
Sophomore Zarina Sharalaya found the library's new homepage proved to be easier to use. She appreciated doing most of her work from her own dorm room rather than having to come to the library to access select resources. "It was much easier to find what I needed sitting right at my chair at home," said Sharalaya.
Oye said the library is looking to revamp the catalog. She will be looking for student volunteers to help staff the focus groups in the second half of the spring semester. KSL hopes to obtain a broad range of students from freshmen to fifth-year seniors and graduate students. Any comments or questions about the library's new homepage can be directed to Karen Oye by clicking on the "Talk With Us" feature on the KSL quick links.
