User Experience Research and Activities

This information is for UM Libraries’ and USMAI staff.

For the past several years, an informal group in ITD has conducted user research and designed and run usability tests on the Libraries’ Web pages and Web-based applications.  This group’s work directly supports the UM Libraries’ Strategic Plan’s goal of employing "usability studies to reform current and to develop new services that respond to user needs effectively." This page brings together some of the group's research, reports, and documentation.

Questions? Contact webservices@itd.umd.edu

UM Projects

• Staff Site, Spring, 2008-
• Art and Architecture Libraries Redesign, Fall 2007-Spring 2008
• UM Library’s Web Site Usability Testing, November 2007
• Engineering & Physical Sciences Library (EPSL) Web Site, 2007 (March-May)
• UM Portal Usability Testing, December 2006
• Jim Henson Works Usability Testing, May 2006
• A Treasure of World’s Fair Art & Architecture Usability Testing, December 2005
• Web Redesign Task Force (2004) User Research (UM Libraries’ home page redesign)

USMAI Projects

• Research Port, Fall 2007
• Electronic Resources in the Catalog, 2005-2006
• SFX (Find It) Version 3, 2005

Other Documentation

• User-Centered Design Best Practices
• Usability Testing Best Practices
• Usability Testing in the UM Libraries, 2004-2006 (Summary report, November 2006)