User Journey in the Digital Age

By Terry Funk

CA

Huwe, T. K. (2014). Building digital libraries: Here’s to a better ‘user journey’.  Computers in Libraries, 34(4), p. 27-29. Retrieved from: http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/may14/Huwe--Heres-to-a-Better-User-Journey.shtml

Summary: The author explores three themes from a recent Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) white paper entitled “Meeting the E-Resource Challenge: An OCLC Report. 

First he points out the need for increased collaboration between information professionals (librarians) and commercial partners (vendors, publishers) to enhance the user journey by first understanding the complexity of the journey (a jungle of websites, dozens of platforms) and then working on the interoperability of systems (a crucial element to success). Trends include working with legacy systems and attending to the quality of data describing resources (e.g. MARC can be used in new ways) and ‘pushing the limits of existing user interfaces to look for better solutions.’ Another theme discussed is data synchronization (not having to rekey everything over and over) and making records portable (portability = a better chance for pieces of data to travel together). Finally the author explains the use of high value collection metrics using COUNTER (Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources), a software that helps to gather collection statistics.

Evaluation: Many library systems did not start out with an emphasis on interoperability and are now playing ‘catch up’ because they cannot do without it. Collaboration across professions is stressed to ‘enhance interoperability, open access, publishing, better link resolving and conceptualizing web-based solutions.’ This article reminds me of Steve Jobs and the need for beautiful design – which can smooth the way for evolving technologies, and enhance user experiences. Sometimes the best design is the simplest. It also introduced me to the idea of Collection Development software/statistics and its many possible uses.