Usability and Accessibility Framework for Digital Libraries
Date Issued
2003
DOI
10.1109/JCDL.2003.1204934
Abstract
Libraries have always tried to remove obstacles to information access. A poorly designed digital
library (DL) is certainly a barrier to users; therefore the need exists for a specific usability and
accessibility framework for the design and evaluation of DL’s, which if adopted can help ensure
enhanced usability of a service. The framework consists of three stages - query techniques, user
testing and expert evaluations, and embodies the need for assessment after each stage. The
framework also defines the techniques and methodologies to be conducted at each of these stages.
Usability and accessibility evaluations of four DL services clarified our view that the specific
dimensions of these services can be better evaluated via the adoption of this framework.
library (DL) is certainly a barrier to users; therefore the need exists for a specific usability and
accessibility framework for the design and evaluation of DL’s, which if adopted can help ensure
enhanced usability of a service. The framework consists of three stages - query techniques, user
testing and expert evaluations, and embodies the need for assessment after each stage. The
framework also defines the techniques and methodologies to be conducted at each of these stages.
Usability and accessibility evaluations of four DL services clarified our view that the specific
dimensions of these services can be better evaluated via the adoption of this framework.
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