1 University of Liverpool Library Catalogue Proposal 25 COMP106 – Assignment 2

2 Task Analysis The users of this system are the staff and students of the university. As such it can be assumed that: All users are competent with computer use Some expert users Therefore interface can be fairly advanced Current Users Current Tasks Book Search Book Reservation Book Renewal Book suggestions Newest books COMP106 – Assignment 2

3 Task Analysis All of the previous Be able to undue any false reservations Tasks user wants to perform How will these tasks be performed Site will be clear and concise, and hopefully obvious Good feedback to the user, and a guided interaction Closure and confirmation messages How often Assumed, multiple times at a single visit COMP106 – Assignment 2

4 Candidate Metaphors Navigation via turning pages Close book to exit Front cover to start over Book? Search results ordered on a shelf on book spines Selecting a book, book is taken from shelf and opened to see details Bookshelf? Main screen is a desk with librarian behind it Click librarian for account details Click catalogue on desk to search Issue Desk? COMP106 – Assignment 2

5 Chosen Metaphor Shelf of books for search results Opening of book for book details Using barcode to reserve book, ‘scanning’ it Checking inside sleeve for stamp to ascertain if book is out on loan, and if so, when it’s due back Bookshelf Exploits knowledge of How people use libraries The methods used in checking out a library book COMP106 – Assignment 2

6 Source Characteristics Main Screen: Size, colour Bookshelves:Size, colour, name, content Books: Name, content Objects and Attributes Relationships Bookshelves are accessed from Main Screen, or from other Bookshelves Bookshelves can contain many books, or no books Actions Books can be searched for from Bookshelves and from Main Screen Books can be reserved and renewed from within a Book Newest books can be viewed on a Bookshelf COMP106 – Assignment 2

7 Target Characteristics Screen:Size, colour Books: Title, author, subject, ISBN, On loan?, Reserved Bookshelves:Many Books Objects and Attributes Relationships Books can be visualised in Bookshelves Books are organized on Bookshelves Actions Search, reserve and renew Books View newest books Suggest a new book COMP106 – Assignment 2

8 Mappings Task How the user performs itHow the interface performs it Searching for book Look in library catalogue, find book location, go to location and acquire book Type in search criteria (title, author, etc.), wait for bookshelf to appear, scan through available books until desired book is found Reserving a book Find book that is out on loan, go to librarian, ask book to be reserved (or call library and ask them to reserve a book that is not on loan until you get there) Click on desired book, check if there is a date stamp, if so, book is out on loan, click on the barcode, click yes when asked if you wish to reserve current book (exactly the same except there will be no date stamp) Renewing a book Take book to issue desk, get it scanned and stamped to a later date Click “my account” on main screen, click book off shelf that you wish to renew, click on date stamp within (alternately, check box that says “renew all books” to renew all current books to same date) COMP106 – Assignment 2

9 Mappings Task How the user performs itHow the interface performs it Viewing newest books Go to the “latest books” section and view the books there Click the “View New Books” button on the main screen, see a bookshelf full of the newest books, ordered by date they arrived (left to right), with option to change ordering and to limit the search according to subject, author, etc… Suggesting a book Know book you want to see at the library, tell librarian, or fill in book suggestion form. Receives a telephone call if book is acquired. Click on “Suggest a book” button on main screen, fill in basic form of the suggested book’s details, and your own, submit form. Will receive an if book is bought in, and a message when first logging onto site when book is available. COMP106 – Assignment 2

10 Additional interface features Horizontal scroll bar found on Bookshelf to allow user to view more books than can fit on screen “Find more similar” button within book that will bring back a list of similar books of the same subject “View all author” button within book to show all books my current author Clear options on main screen that lead to a book suggestion form, and a bookshelf full of the latest books, with options to limit them by any attributes (expect title of course) COMP106 – Assignment 2

11 Possible Mismatches solution: Adjacent books shall be differently coloured to allow books to be seen separately, along with clear instruction statement underneath shelf saying “click on desired book, or scroll along for more” User is confused by bookshelf User doesn’t know how to return to where they previously where solution: “Back to Main Screen” and “Back to previous” buttons on all pages, and always in the same position User may think clicking on a book reserves it solution: Clear closure messages confirming when books have been renewed or reserved, and a message when a search returns no books COMP106 – Assignment 2

12 Possible Mismatches solution: Whenever a book is reserved, it will clearly say so within book, along with a “un-reserve” button that will be clearly labelled and will ask for confirmation that the user wants not to reserve this book User wants to “un-reserve” a book COMP106 – Assignment 2 solution: Message when they log onto site telling them they have overdue books, or have renewed current book up to it’s limit, and informing them that they will need to visit the library in person to renew User isn’t allowed to renew solution: Clearly labelled “find more similar” button which takes you to a new bookshelf, with original book included on it User wants to find similar books User unsure as to how to renew or reserve books solution: Clear instructions on screen: “click here to renew/reserve book