Minutes of User Interface Task Group Meeting

Monday, September 19, 2005
McKeldin Library
1:00-3:00pm

Present: Joanne Dugan, Lenore England, Janet Evander, Diane Fuller, Heidi Hanson, Sean Henry, Jean Phillips, Linda Seguin, Cindy Todd, Susan Wheeler, Laura Wrubel

Topic 1: Introductions

Topic 2: Review charge

Jean led the group in reviewing the charge. The group also has a website, at http://usmai.umd.edu/interface

• Laura will add the statement about the quorum to the User Interface group web page.
• Group members should think about whether an overview of any of the consortial products would be helpful, or if there is other training they need.

Topic 3: Review upcoming projects

Laura and others in the group described several upcoming projects for the group:

• MetLib 3.13 new interface options
• Work with ERIC II group to implement Find It in the catalog
• Work with Authorities Task Group to present authorities information in the Catalog
• New books list in the catalog
• Review of Research Port usability testing and suggest interface improvements
• Definition of journal subset in OPAC, in consultation with ITD

Additional projects and issues that were mentioned included:

• Consistency of wording on login screens (request from CircCOI)
• Usability testing of the catalog
• Improving My account
• Finding ways to leading users through our interfaces so they don't encounter dead-ends (e.g., "too many hits" or "can't request item" screens.)
• How to share known problems
• Creating a "parking lot" to place items for usability testing.

The ERIC group would like to work with the User Interface group to implement Find It in the catalog, and in particular to run usability testing. The "joint subgroup", which also includes Heidi, Janet, Laura, and Mary Gilbert (of ERIC) will also include Diane Fuller from HSHSL.

• Heidi will investigate a wiki to help the group collaborate and work outside of meetings, and will set something up to show at October's meeting.
• The group should think about what a New Books List would look like in the catalog and bring those thoughts to the next meeting. Jean will send an email with information about which campuses put it on their priority lists for ITD.

Topic 4: MetaLib 3.13 interface options

Laura demonstrated two interface options in Metalib 3.13, the revision package ITD is working on implementing. One option keeps users on the "search summary" page before viewing the results of a Quick Search or Cross Search. The Quick Search summary page is a little different from the Cross Search summary page:

• The Quick Search retrieves the first 30 records from each search and merges them. On the summary page, users don't have the option to view the sets from each database. The number of hits from each database is listed and users then have to click on "View retrieved" to see the results list.
• The Cross Search summary page also displays the hits in each database, but users can then click on "View" next to each set, or view "Combined Results". The other new feature is the ability to default to Advanced, rather than Basic, search in Quick Search and Cross Search. Both features are consortia-wide, and can't be set differently by campuses.

ACTION ITEMS:

• Task group members should look at both options on the Research Port test server (http://soejuk.umd.edu) and get familiar with the search summary screen. (Note that categories and active databases on the test server may be different from what's available on the live server.)
• Task group members may share the screens with local groups to start getting feedback. The UITG will send information to the COIuserinter list after the discussion at the next meeting.
• Laura will share Research Port usability test results related to Quick Search/Cross Search at the next meeting.
• Laura will post links to the Aleph test catalog and test Research Port on the UITG website.

At each meeting, a different campus will give a quick tour of their library website, and in particular, how they're linking to/integrating the Catalog, Research Port, and Citation Linker.

ACTION ITEM:

Sean Henry (FS) and Lenore England (UC) will share their libraries' websites at the next meeting.

Topic 5: Scheduling meetings

The group will next meet on Tuesday, October 18, 1-3pm in McKeldin 6103. For the next six months, beginning in November, the group wil meet on the second Friday of each month, 1-3pm. Those dates are:

• November 11 (to be held at HSHSL or other location)
• December 9
• January 13
• February 10
• March 10
• April 14

Laura and Cindy will co-chair the User Interface Task Group. The group will rotate the role of taking minutes. Minutes should be distributed within one week after the meeting.

Topics for the October agenda:

• Heidi will show what she's set up as a wiki
• Sean and Lenore will give quick tours of their library websites
• MetaLib 3.13 new features (search summary and default search type [ Basic v. Advanced])
• New books list in the catalog