User Studies in Public Library Website Redesigns

Abstract

This paper highlights the importance of conducting user studies before redesigning a public library website to ensure the needs and wants of the whole community are met. It explores the eight most common user experience research methods and how they are beneficial in determining the design of a virtual public library environment. Because of their core values of access and service to all, public libraries should prioritize user experience research and include children in their user studies when redesigning their websites.