Comments on: New library website design

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:08:13 +0000

I do not like the new website. Instead of being able to quickly find what I needed, I have to click on multiple links that waste my time. Also, the new design in boring and less tasteful than the old design. This new site looks like a starter site and not the distinguished, welcoming site that the library once had. Hopefully, another change will come to the site because now, it is more confusing than helpful. In my opinion, another redesign would better suit users.

By: Cody

Cody — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:41:03 +0000

Sorry this comment is so late and not all that useful, but I wanted to take a little time to get used to before I decided what I think about it. It does have a couple extra steps to get where I want, but I know I can always get there, so that is nice. Overall, I think it is very well done… so thank you very much.

By: Kevin Hausfeld

Kevin Hausfeld — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:12:39 +0000

I do not like this new style. I spent all of last semester in my CAP 115 research class learning how to use all the features and finding my way around the site quickly. Now I have to waste time re-learning where things are. The old site was perfect.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:38:58 +0000

Hi, Leah, and thanks for your comment – I just sent you a response via e-mail.

By: Leah

Leah — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:56:38 +0000

Due to the fact that I was so use to the old site, I am not a fan of the new one. Things are hard to find on the new site. For instance, the other day I had a hard time finding where to simply search for a book. And today, I am having a hard time finding the databases.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:16:01 +0000

Prof. Leek asked me to include her response to my comment above:

It’s far too sweet that you responded directly, I’m going to use my embarrassing, hostile post, as a “teachable moment” in my civic engagement class this semester, especially since I didn’t really mean to post it. But away it went!! Here’s a good example of why you should always write your comments in a separate document, and then cut & paste… so you have time to think before you post! Sorry for the tone. It came out of sheer frustration that I was trying to do work and got an unexpected site that I couldn’t navigate immediately. I hope you might also post this in the blog. It’s important for all of us to remember to acknowledge when our communication is less than ideal.

That said, I’m not surprised that students prefer encore. It makes sense if you want to start with a “find anything related to my topic” search.

I think I was frustrated because I don’t want to “learn how to find a book”– I just want to see if we have it. I figured out how to go from “catalog” to “classic catalog”– now I’d like the “classic catalog” to include a “journal title” function so that I don’t have to do a fake search to get to the page where I can have that option…

Hope this is helpful.

Prof. Leek

By: admin

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:50:01 +0000

Hi, Josh – I think you’re looking for the databases. There’s a link to the Databases on the home page (right next to the search box) and then you can find Academic Search Premier by clicking on the letter ‘A.’ Let me know if this doesn’t answer your question!

By: josh

josh — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:01:27 +0000

where do I find the search engines such as academic search premier?

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:36:36 +0000

Hi, Dan – actually the search box on the home page is not for the catalog – it is for a resource called Summon that allows one to search for books, articles, and more all at once. We decided to left-align the search box in order to draw more attention to it, and this placement did well in our user testing. Do you have suggestions on how we might better draw the eye to this search? Thanks for your feedback!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:57:07 +0000

In my opinion, the catalog search field is much too small, or at least I don’t think that it’s brought to the public’s attention enough. During my first time on the page I skipped over it assuming it was a Google search field or a GVSU website search field. I liked that in the previous design this field was showcased – I felt like it was an integral part of the page rather than an afterthought.