AZ Database List Mini Refresh

Today's Hours: 8am - 10pm - All service hours

In June 2022, the UX Team initiated a project to enhance the usability of the AZ Database List.

Research Questions

How can we improve the usability of the AZ Database List?

Methods

  • Reviewed previous UX studies
  • Conducted a literature review
  • Conducted an environmental scan of AZ Database Lists at other academic libraries
  • Analyzed analytics and heatmaps
  • Engaged with various library stakeholders

Our Recommendations

  • Remove “/Browse All Databases” label from Clear Filters button​
  • Make the Clear Filters button a colour​​
  • Make alphabet menu more prominent
  • Add U of G Library specific blurb under header at top of the page​
  • Add the chat widget to the bottom right of the page
  • Apply the library website template (header, nav menu, and footer) to the page for continuity​​
  • Bring back “Best Bets 2.0” with new name​ and new look (eg. "Key Databases")
  • Add vendor icons (if appropriate)​​
  • Remove Vendor dropdown
  • Consider other tags: peer reviewed, full text, some full text, abstracts only, primary source, government, images, video, newspapers, available in Omni​​
  • Ensure database descriptions and dropdown boxes are accurate​​
  • Improve the search so it's not so exacting​
  • Add more subjects to reflect new programs, like Indigenous, law, improvisation, education and to address gaps (based on courses)​
  • Consider the following more strategic questions:
    • What is the strategy for exposing users to the AZ List given our resources and effort with Omni. How do we think about the user journey? ​
    • How does the AZ list fit within the broader research and library ecosystem? ​
    • What is the AZ list for? access, discovery, recall, feeding LibGuides, guiding and curating​
The library is committed to ensuring that members of our user community with disabilities have equal access to our services and resources and that their dignity and independence is always respected. If you encounter a barrier and/or need an alternate format, please fill out our Library Print and Multimedia Alternate-Format Request Form. Contact us if you’d like to provide feedback: lib.a11y@uoguelph.ca