Library patrons who find themselves confused when searching for
resources on the computer have the chance now to get their two
cents in ““ the library is searching for users to test its new
catalog software, which is set to launch July 7.
The old system, ORION2, will be replaced by the UCLA Library
Catalog, which runs on Voyager software. Librarian Sharon Shafer
said the “No. 1 improvement” for users will be the
catalog’s increased speed.
To ensure the interface ““ the look and feel of the screen
““ fits researchers’ needs, the library is conducting
usability testing that the staff hopes to finish by June 11, Shafer
said.
Any modifications the library makes based on the current testing
will be among the last before the launch date.
Associate university librarian, Terry Ryans, said she is unsure
what format the testing will take, but that in the past, library
staff has used the “think-aloud” method. This entails
asking users to describe to a listener their thought processes as
they learn to use the software.
This time around, Ryans said library staff will probably solicit
more input by asking questions.
“What they’re going to be doing is refinement
““ again, talking to people about how they use the interface,
what problems they run into,” she said.
Changes made after the last round of testing included
adjustments to catalog terminology meant to help users narrow their
searches. One problem that came up ““ and still hasn’t
been solved ““ was the use of the word “relevance”
in a keyword search.
“We still have that because we couldn’t find a
better word. … A lot of people don’t know what relevance
means, or at least it doesn’t mean to them what it means to
us,” she said.
Other changes that may seem minute can help speed up the process
of finding resources.
With the current catalog, patrons searching for books written by
William Shakespeare must type “William and
Shakespeare.”
In prior testing of the new catalog, staff found users are
uncomfortable with this type of search and changed the system so
researchers don’t need to type the word “and” in
between elements in a query, Shafer said.
In addition to testing, the library is getting ready for the new
catalog by ensuring its staff is prepared to use it.
“All of the library staff has been given numerous
opportunities for training in all different aspects of the new
system,” said Lise Snyder, a reference and instruction
librarian at Powell Library.
Students and others who want to give input but don’t have
time to participate in in-depth testing can complete an online
survey.
Ryan said about 140 respondents had participated in the survey
as of noon Thursday. She said she hopes that number will increase
to several hundred before the new system goes online.
The library will continue to seek input through the summer
months, revising the catalog again before the fall quarter.
As an added bonus for the library, the price tag for
implementing the new system is expected to fall under the original
$2.5 million estimate, Ryans said.
The library is offering a $25 Associated Students of UCLA gift
certificate to each participant who volunteers for about an hour of
testing.
To access the online survey, go to
http://testcatalog.library.ucla.edu. To participate in usability
testing, e-mail [email protected].