Article Numbah Three in my series of can't miss readings..."The User Interface That Isn't" By Lorcan Dempsey. Go ahead and read it---I'll wait right here.
If you're interested in developing new search interfaces (or reinventing an existing interface), this is a terrific reading that brings together the big picture on developing user-centered interfaces. I especially like what Lorcan says about providing a co-created experience for the user---allowing the user (or at least the user's data) to help structure what they see, find and use.
One of the commenters on this piece raises an important point: "Is it really necessary for libraries to try to reinvent something that Amazon has already invented?" All of Dempsey's excellent points aside, is there where libraries should be placing their energy? Instead of creating a perfectly crafted interface for our users, on our campuses, should we instead be trying harder to expose our resources to Google, to Amazon, to anyplace relevant and heavily trafficked that already gives the user a sense of the Universe of Information available on a specific topic?
If you're interested in developing new search interfaces (or reinventing an existing interface), this is a terrific reading that brings together the big picture on developing user-centered interfaces. I especially like what Lorcan says about providing a co-created experience for the user---allowing the user (or at least the user's data) to help structure what they see, find and use.
One of the commenters on this piece raises an important point: "Is it really necessary for libraries to try to reinvent something that Amazon has already invented?" All of Dempsey's excellent points aside, is there where libraries should be placing their energy? Instead of creating a perfectly crafted interface for our users, on our campuses, should we instead be trying harder to expose our resources to Google, to Amazon, to anyplace relevant and heavily trafficked that already gives the user a sense of the Universe of Information available on a specific topic?
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