Home 1999 Annual Conference Managed Discussion

American Library Association Annual Conference
New Orleans, Saturday, June 26, 1999
LITA Human/Machine Interface Interest Group Managed Discussion. 
2:00 - 4:00, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel-Aurora Room

The Human-Machine Interface Interest Group managed discussion will be
launched with the following two presentations:

Kevin Rundblad, Assistant Professor, Instructional Support Services,
Southern Illinois University Carbondale 

BETWEEN FORM AND FUNCTION: INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE AND WEB INTERFACE DESIGN

With the number of electronic information resources in libraries constantly
growing, how do we customize our web sites to best serve library users?
The two-fold problem consists of understanding the available electronic
information assets, and then providing an effective user-centered
navigation design.  In this presentation you will learn about methods for
understanding your web-based electronic assets, the importance of matching
the correct navigation design to the information and user, and the
technological points that will make your web site more effective.

Julie Bobay, Head, School of Library and Information Science Library,
Indiana University Bloomington Libraries

WORKING WITH CONSULTANTS TO EVALUATE AND REDESIGN A LIBRARY WEBSITE

In Spring 1999, Indiana University Bloomington Libraries contracted with
two consultants to help review goals for the Libraries' Web site, to lead
usability tests with various user groups, and to provide a plan for the
architecture of the site, including categorization, labeling, navigation
and maintainability. A Libraries' Working Group was appointed to facilitate
the process, provide information for the consultants, and ensure
communication within the libraries. User data was collected through
usability tests, field studies and a web-based survey, and the consultants
sought input from the libraries through interviews and brainstorming
sessions with librarians, library administrators and technologists.
Following their data collection activities, the consultants submitted their
analyses of how researchers use of the site, its major usability problems,
a "top ten" list of most frequent and important tasks done by users of the
site, and recommendations for a new information architecture and the
organizational structure needed to support it.

A short business meeting will follow the managed discussion.