Evaluating the interface features of New Zealand academic library OPACs by using a checklist approach

Abstract

Various studies have been carried out to evaluate the interface usability of OPACs. However, none of them have been conducted to assess the user interfaces of New Zealand academic library OPACs. To evaluate user interfaces of OPACs, there are some different methods that can be applied. In this research, the author used a guideline checklist approach. Data regarding the interface features of thirteen academic library OPACs in New Zealand were collected via the internet and analyzed through using the Microsoft Excel program. The research found that there were many improvements from usability across all feature categories of the surveyed OPACs. In general, most OPACs received high scores in the areas of bibliographic display, text, layout, labels, and user assistance. However, most of these enhancements had been done related to features that libraries can customize for their users such as bibliographic displays, text, or user assistance. Most new features that are related to the ability of search engines such as word cloud, faceted navigation, the most popular ranking, and related items were not found in the surveyed OPACs. Compared to other software-based OPACs in the current research, the Voyager-based OPACs, on average, scored higher in most feature categories that were designed in the checklist. The results show that three of four libraries that used Voyager products occupied the highest positions in the thirteen New Zealand academic library OPACs. Moreover, during the research process, the author recognized that some features which existed in the surveyed OPACs were not included in the checklist. On the basis of the findings, some recommendations were offered.