Help us to improve the library search

sjd25

Wednesday 30 October 2024

The current library search system is reaching the end of its days, and we’ll be launching a new system to replace it in January 2025. You can read more information about the coming changes here, but for now we’re busy trying to make new system as good as can be, and to this properly we need your help!

Our goal is to make the new system as user friendly and intuitive as possible, so we’re looking for volunteers to help us put it through its paces, through a short series of tests. We’ll then use your feedback to configure the way the new system is set up.

Library search is used by everyone, so naturally we want everyone to be involved. We’re looking for volunteers from across the University – undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as academics and researchers.

As if it you weren’t already tempted to help, we’re offering £10 gift vouchers to either Taste coffee shop, or Topping & Co booksellers to the first FIFTY student volunteers!

What to expect:

• We’ll be running a testing period between 13-21 November.
• Sessions should take 20/30 minutes and will be online via Teams. You’ll only be asked to complete one session.
• Once you volunteer, we’ll be in touch to arrange a date/time that suits you, within the testing period.
• In your session, we’ll ask you to run the new system through a few trials, like finding a particular resource, and exploring resources within your subject area. It’s testing the system, not you, and there are no right or wrong ways of doing things.
• We will be screen-recording the sessions to help us learn how people use the library search.
• If you’re one of our first fifty student volunteers, we’ll have your chosen voucher ready for you to pick up at the Help Desk.

How to get involved:

Email [email protected]  with ‘Library search volunteer’ in the subject line, and we’ll get back to you to arrange a date and time. We’ll also ask you to sign a recording consent form. Feel free to include times that do/don’t work for you in your email, and we’ll be able to tailor the options we send you.