Thanks to everyone who has offered feedback on the new USC Libraries home page. We’re very happy to hear the compliments, of course, but we also want to address the other comments and questions that have come up since going live on December 17, 2009. A few responses and related updates:
- Not necessary to log in just to search the catalog. If you’ve landed on a log-in page after clicking a link to the catalog, this was due to an error related to our upgrade of the library system that runs behind HOMER. You do not need to log in to search, and the catalog is now working properly.
- Quick search. Feedback related to the previous quick search suggested that the search results were confusing and that Google Scholar would be a useful alternative. If you have tried Google Scholar but prefer the previous quick search option, you can get results similar to those of quick search by selecting “article search” on the “e-resources” tab. This will take you to the advanced search page. However, the electronic resources selected by default will deliver results similar to the previous quick search. Simply select “basic” search and enter your keywords.
- Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome issues. Some users reported display problems when using Firefox or Chrome. Clearing the browser cache will solve many of those issues. The new page is displaying properly on both browsers, but please let us know through the feedback link if you have any trouble after clearing your cache.
- Text size. Some Firefox users have reported display problems when enlarging text through the “view-zoom” menu. Please uncheck the “zoom text only” option so that images in the browser window will scale up proportionately to accommodate the larger text.
- Page layout. We heard from users that our previous design devoted too much prime screen space for news- and event-related imagery at the expense of links related to research tasks. News bulletins and a link to all library news on the Libwire blog and our Twitter feed are now on the right side of the page, under the “research support” box. Featured collections, services, and technology are at the bottom of the page, beneath the “how to,” “library services,” and “inside the libraries” columns.
- Links to other libraries at USC. The “catalog” tab now includes links to the Health Sciences Libraries and Law Library sites, as well as direct links to the Helix and Advocat library catalogs. They are located across the bottom of the tab, to the left of the links to search all libraries at USC and Worldcat.
- “My Account” link. Some users reported difficulty locating the “my account” link. A link titled “My Library Account” is located in the lower left corner of the “catalog” tab. From there, you can log in to renew books, change your PIN, and perform other account-related tasks.
- Student filming requests. Our usability tests indicated that the previous link to the “facilities usage”—which included the student filming information—was not as clear as it could have been. We’ve moved the link for forms and other information related to students’ requests to film in the libraries to the “reserve a library space page,” directly accessible from the home page’s “how to” column.
We will conduct usability reviews on the new home page throughout the spring semester and refine the design as necessary. We encourage you to continue sharing your comments as you use the site throughout the term. The feedback survey link will remain live through spring break.