Getting Started with UX in Libraries - Webinar (07/31/19)

This workshop is for information professionals interested in exploring the growing field of ethnography in libraries. Whilst User Experience (UX) has often focused on web usability testing in the past, there's an exciting movement in libraries to use it in face-to-face library environment. 'UX' in this context is used as an umbrella term to cover various ethnographic and design techniques, designed to help us truly understand our users, and then make changes to tweak our services based on what they actually need. Libraries using ethnography are discovering rich and often fascinating data on their patrons, which is proving a nuanced feedback method to complement traditional surveys and focus groups. 

We'll explore what ethnography really is and why you might want to use it, then look at specific examples of techniques to try out. We'll also look at examples of changes libraries have made to their services based on UX projects.

Who should attend?

Anyone who wants to learn about using ethnography to observe and understand our users, in more depth than surveys or focus groups usually allow. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of this hands-on session attendees will:

• Learn the principles and benefits of UX work in a library context.
• Explore 6 different ethnographic techniques in more detail, including cognitive mapping, graffiti walls, and love/break-up letters.
• See various types of UX projects and how they work in terms of time, staff investment, etc.
• Encounter examples of the kinds of service changes libraries have made based on UX projects.

Virtual Trainer: Ned Potter

Ned Potter is an Academic Liaison Librarian at the University of York, and a Trainer for various organisations including the Bodleian and the British Library in the UK. His book The Library Marketing Toolkit was published by Neal Schumann in 2012. 

Ned leads the UX work at his own institution and has contributed a number of articles to the User Experience In Libraries yearbook. In the time that he's been working in libraries, Ned views the emergence of UX as by far the most exciting change that has happened in the sector. 

Ned can be found online at ned-potter.com and on Twitter at @ned_potter.

This is an online class. Access information will be emailed one week ahead.

Cost: NEFLIN classes are free of charge for Florida library staff. Registration is required for all classes and NEFLIN members get priority.