Staff Focus Group Comments (Session 1)

January 8, 2008

Web Site Improvements to Serve Needs
Architecture – streamline access to heavily used links that doesn’t take up a lot of space. Use menus or flyouts.
Reduce/eliminate redundant links on home page
Subsequent pages hard to read; boring, utilize flyouts; design to be easy on the eye.
Label for “Select a Page” needs to be more descriptive.
Needs to be consistency in area/service web pages
Branch information not readily apparent; frequently used phone numbers, service/department phone numbers.
Put like data/information together; modularity
Too much Babbidge centrism.
Online demos of “How To’s,” e.g. renew book, ICE, virtual tour

Improvements to Better Serve Needs – Home Page
Way too busy
Have to know what terms mean; too much jargon (e.g., Thomas J. Dodd Center = Archives & Special Collections; Circulation; liaisons)
How about something simple, like how to find a book?
Simple site. I want to . . .
Need to keep certain links
Text size is too small
Reallocate real estate; reduce picture size; redundancy in Quick Links and Online Resources
Allocate real estate to links getting the most hits.
Rename “Customize This Site”; misnomer
Access to discipline specific resources from home page.
Real customize this page for the home page.
Redesign so you don’t have to drill in, e.g., online resources could click on databases from the home page and get there.
Eliminate “Customize This Site” as it exists now and replace with better subject-specific access.
Search library search engine not working well; fix and make field larger; should include database names, ejournal names, pages from web site.
Keep news blurb; maybe reduce the size.
Add renew materials or view account button that goes straight into MyHomer.
Add login to VPN, remote access on home page.
Change to “Ask a Library” from “Live Reference”.

What’s Missing from the Web Site?
Contact the library with numbers for the desks, generic emails, fax numbers, including various modes
System/database problem notification
Need technical help section/page
Need printer-friendly feature and needs to be near top
Text only must be at the top
Digital collections
Assistive technology/services, e.g., text only, voice recognition
Building accessibility into the pages
Information about Library is missing.
Wireless information, assume what users know; access to library ____ on/off campus, etc.

Section Used Most Frequently
Employment – job; too many steps for job applicants. Button on main page that leads right to jobs, e.g., MCC, Central, SCSU, Tunxis – good versions; direct
First four Quick Links (Homer, Most Used, All, EJournal Locator
Site Index – alpha or find in page
Customize This Site
Quick Links (but is cluttered for patrons); first four plus DD/ILL
About the library
Link to UConn main page
Off campus access (send users to)
Refer patrons to HBL Media Services to get to video schedules
Music & Dramatic Arts – show patrons how
Homer, Databases, Copyright, DigitalCommons
Need link to Archives & Special Collections

What Other Internet Resources Do You Use for Classroom or Research?
Amazon
Google
Gateway software
Dictionary
Web sites for finding out-of-print materials
Calculator
MapQuest and others
Metric converter
Travel sites – per diem
Student employment/HR in general
Alectrona
Writing, Q Center, Roper Center, LRC; links for other departments in building
Course catalogs
Academic calendars; event calendar