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In 2016, The library team created a website using Springshare's LibGuides easy-to-use boxes and tools. Following my introduction to the library in 2018, I spent a year observing how the library staff and patrons interacted with the LibGuides site. My observations brought about a desire to redefine home and create an improved, customized digital library experience for all users.
Physicians, residents, students, nurses, and staff are typically on-the-go and juggling several tasks at any given moment. The goal in redefining home was to offer users immediate and direct access to everyday functional and repetitive needs, including customized search boxes for library-linked resources and links to library information and popular services. This idea, combined with a responsive design, created a functional and app-like experience via mobile and desktop devices. The end-goal was for users to intuitively interact with the page, using any device, without diverting attention or taking the time to figure out how the library website functioned.
Elements that Redefine Home:
User Access Sign-in Ribbon
The User Access Sign-in Ribbon is located at the top of the website and is visible on all pages. Users can click the ribbon and a drop down appears with “sign-in” and “registration” buttons. There is an option to continue using the site as a guest, as well as a link for help.
Action Buttons
The buttons represent library services and may take the user to a request form or link to more information about an action/service.
Library Linked PubMed
The library-linked PubMed search box allows users to search PubMed by entering a PMID, author, title, keyword, etc. Users click the “Go” button, opening a new browser tab with results from the PubMed website. The library's full-text banner is displayed on the PubMed site, allowing the user to check for library access. Users can sign in ahead of searching or upon interacting with a licensed resource via the full-text banner.
Twitter Bootstrap Accordion
Closed Accordion
Open Accordion
The accordion element allows for three or more separate search boxes, in addition to the library linked PubMed (shown above) on the landing page. Each accordion button features a particular library resource, including Journals A-Z, Databases A-Z, and the Library Catalog. Users can click on an accordion button to access a search box, filters, and a list of popular titles. The accordion buttons can open and close, allowing for a clean and organized appearance. This element is one of the key features that makes the landing page functional, allowing multiple resources to be accessible within a small space on the landing page.
Library Resource Links
The Library Resource Links offer an additional access point for library resources. Unlike the accordion search options, these buttons connect users to the resource page where a search can begin. The “Information For:” and “Authors List” buttons are unique to this element and are not included in the accordion element.
Library Information
Closed information button
Open information button
The Library Information element features a link to submit questions and also provides information about the library. The first two buttons feature a dropdown display with contact information, location, and hours for the library. The third button links to a page of frequently asked questions. A “Share this Page” link is also featured, allowing users to send an email containing the library website URL to coworkers or fellow students.
Image Sliders
The landing page features two image sliders. The first slider highlights library services and is only visible via the desktop view. The second slider features new eResources, which are also in the monthly newsletter. The New eResources slider is updated each month with the newsletter.
Navigation
The site navigation is discussed in a separate post titled, “Navigation”
Redefined Home
Mobile View
Desktop View
