Library homepage design at medium‐sized universities: A comparison to commercial homepages via Nielsen and Tahir

Abstract

Purpose

Website design guidelines which have proven effective throughout the commercial sector could be adapted for library homepage design. Acceptance of industry standards for homepage usability, specifically Nielsen and Tahir's criteria, would give library users recognizable features and increase their confidence and comfort levels when using library websites. The paper aims to present a comparison of library homepages with these criteria to provide an assessment of how libraries fare in comparison with the commercial sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Little research has been undertaken to evaluate the appeal and efficacy of homepages of libraries associated with medium‐sized universities, which have different audiences than do larger universities. The dataset of 80 academic libraries associated with medium‐sized universities (8,000‐13,000 students) was compiled with data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Peterson's College Bound. Data on 14 variables derived from Nielsen and Tahir were examined on these 80 library homepages. Variables are grouped into four categories: search, navigation, design, and general features.

Findings

Based on Nielsen and Tahir's criteria, library homepages fared well in comparison to business homepages. Statistical analysis of the findings revealed that library homepage designs were significantly different from businesses for only four variables: the ability to search the website, the use of a search box or a link, the use of animation, and a change of link colors to indicate viewed links. A greater amount of business homepages used a search box as opposed to a search link. Fewer libraries facilitated navigation by creating links that changed color after use. Library homepages generally had fast download times, and avoided animations and automatic music.

Research limitations

A comprehensive review of all of Nielsen and Tahir's design characteristics for homepage usability cannot be fully considered in a study of this size.

Originality/value

Information‐seeking behaviors of college students and internet users within this age range suggest that design conventions established on the web and tested by usability experts may provide a framework for effective library homepage design.

Citation

Harpel‐Burke, P. (2005), "Library homepage design at medium‐sized universities: A comparison to commercial homepages via Nielsen and Tahir", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 193-208. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750510612399