The Quest for Better Library Websites: Skill Checking Your Website with Usability Testing

1-Short Description: Don’t settle for the status quo or botch your library’s website with decision-making based on assumptions--test it! Usability testing makes for better library websites. Even if you are not up for a major redesign, testing can illuminate iterative changes to improve end-user experience. This workshop will teach participants the basics of task-based usability testing, including simple strategies for recruiting participants, planning tests, and creating meaningful tasks. Participants will be challenged to skill check their library websites, or other online content, in real-time by creating tasks and partnering up to facilitate a usability test. Librarians in all rolls can benefit from a closer look at their online content, no web or user experience expertise required!

2-Session Format & Style: Hands on, interactive workshop.

3-Takeaways:

1. Learn the skills needed to implement basic task-based usability testing to inform library website changes.
2. Design a usability test with tasks that can tell you something.
3. Test your library’s website with a fellow librarian and maybe even identify some needed edits to share with your colleagues back home!

4-Organization: Fully formed

5-Contact:

Brittany Richardson, brittany-richardson01@utc.edu

Natalie Haber, natalie-haber@utc.edu