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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2002)
Library unveils new centralized Web site The new Knight Library Web site proves helpful to some and confusing to others Andrew Shipley Freelance Reporter Fresh, intelligent, attractive — these are qualities many people will probably be seeking in their life as the 2002 fall term begins in earnest. This year, students and faculty can seek out inspiration in an unlikely source: the new Knight Library Web site. Strange as it may sound, these were precisely the traits the library staff had in mind when it set out to give the old site a much needed makeover. “The trick was to mix usability,” said Juanita Benedicto, social sci ences reference librarian and the li brary’s Web site coordinator. “We wanted to design a system that worked for experienced users but was also beginner-friendly.” Benedicto said a large number of library users are freshman and un dergraduate students who often ar rive at the reference desk “over whelmed by what the library has to offer” and frustrated by a Web site where it’s not even obvious how to do a simple search. Complaints like these provided the guidelines for creating the new site, she said. Revamping the Web site was no simple task. J.Q. Johnson, head of the Web site implementation task force, said there are more than 7,000 Web pages on the site, and some departments within the li brary operate independently. Due to the sheer amount of infor \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ M lor credit? Outdoor Sctiaol Be a camp counselor for a week! (one night orientation) Earn 2-5 upper division credits! Teach 5th graders about higher education once a week and take them on a field trip to the university! Earn 2 upper division credits! Once a week seminars! Earn 2 upper division credits for seminars PLUS 1 upper division credit for every 30 hours of volunteer work! Human Services Volunteer anywhere in the community! Public Schools Volunteer in any public schooll Leadership Shadow a leader of the community or become a S Cllllllty internship prognm 34B-4351 student leader yourself! I29OJ10 Office of Academic Advising Drop-ins or Appointments Welcome • Graduation Requirements • Academic Planning • Choosing a Major • Academic Standing Issues • Pre-Health and Pre-Law • Disability Services (164 Oregon Hall; 6-1155) • Free Workshops 364 Oregon Hall 346-3211 http://advising.uoregon.edu mation, the old Web site was “ex tremely decentralized,” he said, re quiring multiple links to reach basic search options. For infrequent users, simply beginning a search was a source of headaches. “We focused toward a user-cen tered design, especially emphasizing user navigation,” said Web site com mittee consultant and creative advi sor Kelly Ann. Now, when users open the site, both basic and advanced search op tions are presented immediately, with instructions and help options written in common language, rather than in what Ann calls “library terms.” Following usability research, Ann also sought to give the site a more vi sual feel. “The old site was all text, not very attractive,” Ann said. “The new design is graphic-heavy, giving the site a more modem feel.” In addition to simplified search options, the new site emphasizes the latest library news and re sources. Major news, such as the es tablishment of a silent study area in the old periodicals section, is dis played on the opening page, as is quick access to a comprehensive and up-to-date news page. The library’s schedule is also easily ac cessible on the initial page. Despite these changes, the ques tion still remains: Is the new site re ally any better? So far, responses i>r<t T news oe/M/n J Uxsisfe'sfcat UQ; tSASES &; GUIDES TO ? RE! - r S Swlyevr lesemth here. jj&vmr cataudgs is 8«s>f).(tefs»y . bowing; *■<! «*»,*• <*<•«> *<»••«• •>,. toms: ;«<>s« <9/tV8g find books, videos 4 raoff. find articles on any topic. mreti UC*.C3t»a8 by Research guide i by subject? ... tir fine Bn trifles- by name, :tanirc vwU-; W*Cn UO'i’V wws rewFaxj e <r«t ; teeM’** e.rse»» met ireyoa iovtarg far’’ if yiu hTf» the 3”t ;:e you needy hmbVheiet be ntqefftfti?. j/*<f otttei catalogs: t.isr tie tn»>w> f*w iA*'ls> Wani-J! have been mixed. “From a staff perspective, the site puts all the information you are looking for in one place. It is much easier to use,” said Andrew Howell, manager of the library’s information technology center. Some students, however, were less positive. Brian Robertson, a fresh man and first-time library user, felt there was simply too much informa tion presented at once. “There was so much stuff on the first page, it was really cluttered,” he said. “The menus were just confusing.” Benedicto acknowledged the mixed response and said the com mittee will continue to conduct user research and adapt the site through out the school year. The site is a work in progress, with only 10 per cent of the 7,000 sites fully updated, and Benedicto, Ann and Johnson all agree the site will evolve with the needs of the users. “One of the new features of the site is a ‘Let us know’ link , and all responses are welcomed,” Benedic to said. The library Web site is at libweb.uoregon.edu. Andrew Shipley is a freelance writer for the Emerald. University groups provide tastes of different interests Whether students’ hobbies are the waltz, Wittgenstein or world peace, the University has a club for their interests. Arwen Ungar Freelance Reporter The University abounds with op portunities to join clubs for different interests, which often allow students to interact with people who share common interests in a fun, easy-go ing and open atmosphere. While some groups are at the forefront of the campus community, others are rarely spotlighted — here are some students might not hear about. Oregon Ballroom Dance, for exam ple, was organized in the early 1990s by the Eugene community to intro duce people to the fun of social danc ing. Students can learn how to dance the cha-cha, the rumba, the waltz and the swing. Jennifer Keller, the club’s president, joined in her freshman year. “I was new to Eugene and wanted to meet people; everyone was di verse and friendly,” Keller said. During dances the club listens to different types of music, new and old. The club hosts beginning and inter Turn to Clubs, page 9B ^VIAN/tv^; '^.SVTYOVC^' Lectures, Performances and More! From the Oregon Humanities Center. r 29 Watch and discuss the award-winning documentary. Trembling Before G-d, with director Sandi DuBowski ■A ovemker 13 Wander the Oregon Trail with Lewis & Clark expert Stephen Dow Beckham fhiarck 5 Ponder the words of creative writer and environmental philosopher Kathleen Dean Moore. Jl a/ouircn 31 Enjoy the music of renowned Dutch violinist Jaap Schroder. For more information about our events, call 346-3934, visit our website at http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/ humanctr/, or stop by our office at 154 PLC and pick up our newsletter, which includes a calendar of many of the University's Fall term events.
