Purpose -The aim of this paper is to discuss the application of a web-based tool as a remote asynchronous usability testing method based on an assessment of an academic library's digital collections website. Design/methodology/approach -The paper examines the selection of an asynchronous remote usability testing method, the reasons for the selection of SurveyMonkey, an evaluation of its effectiveness through an assessment of the digital collections web site, and the potential for its application in future usability studies. Findings -SurveyMonkey can be employed as an assessment tool with advance planning by evaluators to capture the responses and opinions of users. Overall, it is a cost effective and time-saving option for small assessment projects.Research limitations/implications -This was an informal study where a specific product, SurveyMonkey, was tested with the purpose of evaluating its effectiveness as a remote asynchronous assessment tool through its application for a specific website usability study. The assessment was not compared to other testing methods, and the tool was not evaluated through formal methods. Practical implications -Libraries and other organizations can look to free, or low-cost, web-based tools as an alternative to more traditional methods, such as focus groups, when evaluating services. Originality/value -The paper describes the creation and implementation of a web-based usability test for a library website using a specific product. It looks at the effectiveness of the assessment tool based on cost and time requirements, in addition to the benefits and disadvantages of conducting remote usability testing.
During the digitization of the Eugene V. Debs correspondence collection, known as the Dear Comrade project, at Indiana State University, project staff developed new procedures for assigning and tracking responsibilities. This development was part of an overall initiative to document local practices and create a more complete workflow process for projects undertaken through the Wabash Valley Visions & Voices Digital Memory Project (WV3) located at http://visions.indstate.edu. Consisting of approximately 6,000 pieces of correspondence written to and from Eugene Victor Debs, the Debs Collection is housed in Special Collections at Cunningham Memorial Library. The new work plan enabled multiple people with varying levels of expertise from different library departments to check the quality of scans and to catalog and upload items to WV3 using the digital collection management software CONTENTdm.
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