John Matylonek
Oregon State University, Valley Library
Library web services are changing and expanding rapidly. The increasing complexity and quantity of subject electronic information resources, novel ways of providing information and services, cross functionality and complexity of the online catalog and general web sites, and the increasing expectations of users have made web design decision making all the more difficult. These factors must be incorporated in an evolving design so that library users are assisted by the changes, not stymied. Furthermore, the skills of a library web site user cover a spectrum between beginner to expert while user needs run the gamut from highly comprehensive research to vague information requests based on expediency and convenience. A library web site must cater to all these audiences by gauging the effectiveness of the services.
It is not always apparent how users are actually being served by the plethora of service links on a library web site. Measuring quality and effectiveness of a library web site is not as simple as counting books, library seating, and circulation statistics. Many librarians have resorted to increased instruction to deal with this complexity and subtlety. Measuring how library web-site visitors use and perform on a library web site can, however, provide a baseline for future enhancements. Special design techniques and usage statistics can help library web developers in adapting their web sites to the needs of library web site users as services and technology change.
Matylonek, J. (2002). Maintaining quality of library web sites using cluster and path analysis. Library and Information Science Research E-Journal, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.32655/LIBRES.2002.1.4