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
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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
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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
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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.