Fostering Discovery through Web Interface Design

In 2009, the Library & Information Services (LIS) Web Task Force of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) was charged with improving its website in light of the increasing challenges presented by organizing, maintaining, and promoting its rapidly expanding selection of electronic resources. Due to budgetary constraints, a commercial tool for improving resource discovery was not an option. The Task Force chose to consider improved Web design as a solution to the problem. The resulting process of ongoing library Web site redesign, fueled by extensive user feedback at multiple stages, is discussed. In addition, the progression from a paper-based survey to an observation study of users is outlined and analyzed. Such activities inform the user experience and provide an opportunity to use improved design to reinforce principles of library instruction.