In Fall 2021, Healey Library launched a usability study with the goal of improving the user experience of the library’s website. The users’ feedback and survey data will be used to inform the planning and development of the campus website redesign project and help align the library website’s complexity and unique function with the overall campus redesign project. 

Fall/Winter 2021 Activities

• Reviewed the project scope of the library website usability study 
• Learned about current usability and accessibility standards
• Examined other academic library websites to understand the trends and common practices 
• Evaluated the functionalities and contents of our own library website
• Analyzed our patron usage data
• Launched a campus-wide survey and received 150 responses
• Conducted 12 key-informant interviews of patron-facing library staff members to gather user feedback to identify potential barriers for improvement 

After careful review and analysis of these data, we concluded that it was imperative to take the immediate steps to conduct an in-depth content review, initiate re-organization of the web content, and re-build the navigation menu in order to improve efficiency in helping users search information. 

Spring/Summer 2022 Activities

• Reviewed and updated relevant web content 
• Drafted a new web architecture with a new navigation menu
• Created an online card-sorting task and invited the entire UMB community to submit their preferences for the re-construction of the navigation menu. We received hundreds of submissions reflecting a total of 453 participants from undergraduate/graduate students, faculty, staff, and other UMB affiliated members

The review and analysis of the card sorting data are currently underway. Healey Library wants to thank everyone who has participated in the usability testing and helped us improve our library services.

Currently, we are working on updating the web pages within a testing environment and designing the new navigation menu in preparation to begin the transition to the new website in late Spring/Summer 2023. We are working with the Division of Marketing & Engagement on the migration plan and timeline for launching the library’s new website. We will provide further updates as we finalize the rollout plan of the new library website. Stay tuned!