Re-imagining the users' experience: An ethnographic approach to web usability and space design

Abstract

PurposeThis paper describes the process and work undertaken by the library anthropologist and the Usability Task Force for reconfiguring the library's physical and virtual spaces to meet the educational needs and expectations of users, including students, faculty, and community patrons. What are the reason(s) for writing the paper or the aims of the research?Design/methodology/approach Through formal usability studies and ethnographic research. In this paper, we describe the process and work undertaken by the library anthropologist and the Usability Task Force for reconfiguring the library's physical and virtual spaces to meet the educational needs and expectations of users, including students, faculty, and community patrons. How are the objectives achieved? Include the main method(s) used for the research. What is the approach to the topic and what is the theoretical or subject scope of the paper? FindingsThrough surveys, focus groups observation What was found in the course of the work? This will refer to analysis, discussion, or results. Originality/valueThis paper presents an ethnographic approach to policy development and implementation to reorient the physical and virtual library environments at a large research library. Libraries and Library administrators will find value in the policies established and processed outlined for the development of user-centered learning spaces.