Navigation Elements On Library Navigation Elements On Library Websites: What Works Best?Websites: What Works Best?

Lesley Moyo

Gateway Librarian

Penn State University Libraries

USA

Background Of StudyBackground Of Study

Related study– Use of jargon on library Websites

Study objectives– Identify preferred navigation elements– Determine whether different navigation options

affect: Time taken to conduct search Success rate in getting required results

– Identify other factors influencing navigation

MethodologyMethodology

20 academic library Websites used in earlier study

Sample of targeted usersObservation of users performing real

tasks Questionnaire responses and discussionAnalysis of results

Search TasksSearch Tasks

Finding a specific bookFinding a subject research guideGetting help online

Information on student job openings

FindingsFindings

Highest success rate…Economy of time…Some popular navigation elements…Some unpopular navigation elements…Some problematic elements…Other factors playing into the search

experience

A Few ExamplesA Few Examples

Examples don’t show ranking of sites but focus on use of some specific navigation elements

Organization Comes Into PlayOrganization Comes Into Play

Consistency MattersConsistency Matters

Drop-down Menus UnpopularDrop-down Menus Unpopular

Simplicity Yields Economy Simplicity Yields Economy Of TimeOf Time

Search Box Popular On Search Box Popular On This SiteThis Site

Pop-up Menus Used MinimallyPop-up Menus Used Minimally

Some ConclusionsSome Conclusions

Navigation elements do impact the user search experience

Interplay among various usability factors:– Navigation elements– Site organization

DiscussionDiscussion

Questions?Questions?