How Web 2.0 should ALA go - ALA Connect

Emerging Leaders 2010 Group J-Bots
ALA.org is the public face of the American Library Association representing 41,204
individual members (as of April 2010). ALA.org is the American Library Association’s
public face and is the way many people first interact with ALA. The website supplies
information about: membership, the conferences held, the organization’s policies and
guidelines, and various legislative matters concerning America’s libraries. ALA
members go to this site to register for events, order through the ALA Store, as well as
access information about the various divisions and roundtables that make up the
organization.
Although ALA.org has been in existence since 1996, the look and feel of the site has
changed to meet the changes in technology and shifting user expectations and needs.
This change has reflected the desire to shift to a more semantic web – a more
collaborative and social platform. The push for a more collaborative and social platform
increased with the launch of ALA Connect in the Spring of 2009. ALA Connect serves
as the professional and social networking platform of ALA. ALA Connect is a product of
such influences as Facebook and LinkedIn and serves as the ALA member’s portal for
communication. Through Connect librarians can network with other librarians through
chat and discussion boards. ALA Connect also allows the many ALA committees and
round tables to communicate and accomplish the work of the group between
conferences.
With the launch of Connect and the increasing popularity of social networking, the
question arose "Should the ALA.org site include more interactivity"? Would the addition
of more interactive “Web2.0” features attract and keep members coming back to the
site? The 2010 Emerging Leader’s Group “J” (nicknamed the “J-Bots”), tackled this
question for their project.
Scope of Project
Faced with the prospect of ALA.org transitioning to a new content management system,
the J-Bots' directive was to ascertain “How Web 2.0 ALA.Org should go?” by asking a
sample group of members and making recommendations based on the data received.
Through membership surveys and analysis the J-Bots analyzed the interactivity needs
of users. ALA will take into account the recommendations of ALA.org's audience in
order to improve the users’ experience. Analysis from the surveys will result in
suggestions for changes and interactivity through suggested wireframes with a final
presentation at the ALA Annual meeting.
Online Survey
The J-Bots initial approach was to conduct two methods of surveying users: qualitative
user survey and usability testing. Based on direction from our project sponsor, the JBots decided to focus solely on the online survey and the development of wireframes.
The online survey created by Group J featured a series of questions in regards to the
ALA Website, experiences with ALA Connect, and user collaboration. The survey was
used to provide quantitative and qualitative data. Through a series of iterations, the JBot survey evolved into a set of questions that focused on a more detailed look into
features and functions. Demographic information was purely voluntary. The survey was
distributed via various listservs, social media outlets, and through official ALA
communication channels
The J-Bots met and collaborated through ALA Connect, Google Talk, and through email
communication several times per week from January until June. Documents were
shared through Google Docs. Many of the tools which the J-Bots employed during their
six month work session represented Web 2.0 tools that enhance user experience and
collaborative Web environments.
Survey Results
The J-Bot survey collected a total of 688 completed surveys, which is 1.67% of ALA's
individual membership. According to the optional demographic questions answered,
three quarters of the respondents were female and ALA members. The group was
evenly distributed among the ages of 22-64, with 88% of the group having the MLS
degree. Almost half of respondents were involved with ACRL, with members of LITA
being the second largest group.
The first part of the survey asked participants to rank certain Web 2.0 characteristics
based on level of importance. Surprisingly, most users did not want the ALA web site
to have many of the features that are commonly associated with Web 2.0. Instead,
users rated that the most essential aspects of the site should be to repair the
functionality of the site. Features such as improved search functionality, an integrated
sign in for ALA.Org/ALA Connect to make access more efficient, and filtering
information were deemed essential. Web 2.0 aspects such as personalization,
customization and social media were considered unimportant to users, who specified
that convenience,consistency, and navigation were most essential. Based on the
survey results and the user comments provided, it is apparent that despite the
popularity of Facebook and LinkedIn, ALA users are not interested in adding social
networking to the ALA site. Some respondents noted that they do not want to mix their
personal life with their professional life. Worried about privacy associated with social
networking, respondents were less than comfortable with sharing information should
ALA.org go more Web 2.0.
At the end of the survey section, users were given the opportunity to provide comments
about the ALA.org site. This comments section of the survey was very illuminating.
From the comments the themes became apparent. Users expressed their frustration
with broken links, poor web design and the overwhelming expanse of the ALA site.
Basically, users want a more efficient, streamlined web site ) with a better organized
site architecture. In general, users want improved navigation with fewer “clicks” to get to
their desired destination. In short, basics such as efficient web navigation and good
design are desired far more than Web 2.0 “bells and whistles.” User respondents of the
J-Bot survey spoke clearly – Site design and usability are key. Web 2.0 features, while
nice, do not trump good design.
Respectfully Submitted: Project “JBot” Team
Jeannie Chen, Justin Hoenke, Susan Jennings, Anne Krakow, Rafia Mirza
How Web 2.0 should ALA go?
1. Convenience
Essential
Important
24.1% (184)
41.9% (320)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
21.3% (163)
7.1% (54)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
2.7% (21)
2.9% (22)
Rating
Response
Average
Count
I do not want to come to the ALA
site for updates nor do I want to
navigate through multiple pages for
2.20
764
answered question
764
skipped question
9
Rating
Response
Average
Count
information.
2. Consistency
Essential
Important
25.6% (196)
48.2% (369)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
17.1% (131)
7.2% (55)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
1.6% (12)
0.3% (2)
I want the ability to locate the same
type of information in the same
place regardless of which ALA
2.11
765
answered question
765
skipped question
8
Division, office or round table page
I visit.
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3. Control
Essential
Important
40.3% (308)
36.6% (280)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
17.5% (134)
4.6% (35)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
1.0% (8)
0.0% (0)
Rating
Response
Average
Count
I want the search function on the
ALA site to allow me to control the
extent of the search, to provide
1.90
765
answered question
765
skipped question
8
Rating
Response
Average
Count
useful results, and to allow filtering.
4. Social Media
Essential
Important
11.2% (86)
22.2% (171)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
31.9% (246)
33.1% (255)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
1.3% (10)
0.4% (3)
I want interaction on the ALA site,
and integration with other social
media channels that allow me to
2.91
771
answered question
771
skipped question
2
share information with my peers
across multiple sites.
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5. Personalize the appearance
Essential
Important
2.0% (15)
3.4% (26)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
12.0% (92)
80.9% (618)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
1.6% (12)
0.1% (1)
Rating
Response
Average
Count
I want to customize the appearance
of my ALA.org when I'm logged in
(i.e. themes, colors, arrangement
3.77
764
answered question
764
skipped question
9
Rating
Response
Average
Count
of content boxes, etc.).
6. Customization of content
Essential
Important
5.0% (38)
22.1% (169)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
38.9% (298)
31.3% (240)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
2.5% (19)
0.3% (2)
I want to customize the content
(news, announcements, etc) that I
see when I am logged in to
3.04
766
answered question
766
skipped question
7
ALA.org.
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7. Integrated sign-in
Essential
Important
54.4% (417)
32.9% (252)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
9.1% (70)
2.6% (20)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
0.8% (6)
0.3% (2)
Rating
Response
Average
Count
I want the ability to use one login
and password combination for ALA
web-based services
(website/Connect/store, blogs,
1.62
767
answered question
767
skipped question
6
Rating
Response
Average
Count
wikis, American Libraries site,
Moodle classes, etc.).
8. Forms
Essential
Important
12.7% (97)
30.2% (231)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
28.5% (218)
26.5% (203)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
2.1% (16)
0.1% (1)
I want stored personal information
to auto-populate forms and
2.75
766
answered question
766
skipped question
7
registration for events.
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9. Flexibility
Essential
Important
18.5% (142)
26.8% (206)
Somewhat
Not
Important
Important
25.5% (196)
24.2% (186)
No Opinion
Do Not Know
4.9% (38)
0.0% (0)
Rating
Response
Average
Count
The ALA websites and forms should
be available to me through mobile
devices (i.e. iPhone, Blackberry,
2.70
768
answered question
768
skipped question
5
Android, etc.).
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10. Please rank the following comments in order of relative importance to you by answering this question: When I visit ALA Connect, I want….
Essential
Important
2.0% (15)
16.5% (121)
14.9% (109)
Somewhat
Rating
Response
Average
Count
Not Important
No opinion
30.9% (227)
48.2% (354)
2.3% (17)
3.32
734
47.9% (350)
26.0% (190)
7.5% (55)
3.6% (26)
2.37
730
2.9% (21)
12.5% (92)
32.3% (237)
50.1% (368)
2.2% (16)
3.36
734
3.8% (28)
8.5% (62)
19.4% (142)
65.5% (480)
2.9% (21)
3.55
733
4.4% (32)
14.7% (107)
31.3% (228)
48.0% (350)
1.6% (12)
3.28
729
0.8% (6)
1.9% (14)
8.4% (62)
81.6% (599)
7.2% (53)
3.93
734
7.1% (52)
24.0% (176)
37.2% (273)
28.5% (209)
3.1% (23)
2.97
733
3.4% (25)
17.6% (129)
32.4% (237)
42.3% (310)
4.2% (31)
3.26
732
4.2% (31)
17.8% (130)
28.6% (209)
45.3% (331)
4.1% (30)
3.27
731
16.1% (118)
34.6% (253)
32.9% (241)
14.6% (107)
1.8% (13)
2.51
732
9.8% (71)
18.6% (135)
29.6% (215)
38.2% (278)
3.9% (28)
3.08
727
Important
a) tag clouds of recent searches,
most visited pages or most
downloaded searches.
b) shortcuts &/or information from
ALA Connect available on the main
website.
c) to read ALA-related tweets.
d) to access my social media sites
from the ALA.org.
e) to personalize my ALA website
experience.
f) to see paid library-related ads on
the website.
g) to play videos from within the
site.
h) to share videos made by me or
my library.
i) to display my news feeds.
j) to connect to members with
similar interests.
k) to share information from ALA
on other social media profiles?
l) to use log in information from
another platform (ex: Facebook
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Connect) to log into the ALA
5.8% (42)
13.0% (95)
17.0% (124)
59.5% (434)
4.8% (35)
3.45
730
12.7% (93)
30.9% (227)
30.9% (227)
22.6% (166)
2.9% (21)
2.72
734
12.5% (91)
40.4% (295)
30.8% (225)
13.0% (95)
3.3% (24)
2.54
730
answered question
736
skipped question
37
website instead of creating an all
new log in?
m) to take content on the ALA
website and be able to repost/remix on other sites and blogs.
n) to control filtering of news and
announcements.
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11. If you could control filtering of news and announcements, which of the following filters would you want available:
Response
Yes
No
No opinion
Advocacy
60.5% (413)
16.7% (114)
22.8% (156)
683
Announcements (ALA News)
84.6% (593)
6.8% (48)
8.6% (60)
701
Awards
50.1% (343)
28.3% (194)
21.6% (148)
685
Chapters
54.9% (375)
23.0% (157)
22.1% (151)
683
Conferences
83.9% (588)
8.0% (56)
8.1% (57)
701
Divisions
78.5% (545)
9.2% (64)
12.2% (85)
694
Events
80.3% (558)
9.5% (66)
10.2% (71)
695
Grants
57.4% (393)
21.6% (148)
21.0% (144)
685
International News
39.0% (264)
32.3% (219)
28.7% (194)
677
Jobs
70.1% (488)
15.8% (110)
14.1% (98)
696
National News
59.6% (408)
22.3% (153)
18.1% (124)
685
Offices
37.7% (253)
32.5% (218)
29.8% (200)
671
Online Learning
67.0% (456)
17.2% (117)
15.9% (108)
681
Publications
69.6% (479)
15.7% (108)
14.7% (101)
688
Round Tables
60.2% (410)
22.2% (151)
17.6% (120)
681
Scholarships
40.3% (261)
33.4% (216)
26.3% (170)
647
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Count
Other (please specify)
39
answered question
714
skipped question
59
12. If you have any suggestions regarding how we could improve ALA.Org, please enter them in the box below.
Response
Count
142
answered question
142
skipped question
631
Response
Response
Percent
Count
13. Gender
Male
16.1%
114
Female
82.5%
583
No response
1.4%
10
Other (please specify)
7
answered question
707
skipped question
66
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14. Age Range
Response
Response
Percent
Count
Under 21
0.0%
0
22 to 34
30.9%
221
35 to 44
25.3%
181
45 to 54
18.2%
130
55 to 64
22.2%
159
65 and Over
2.1%
15
No response
1.4%
10
answered question
716
skipped question
57
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15. Professional Status
Librarian (Degree MLS or
Response
Response
Percent
Count
87.8%
612
Librarian (Non MLS)
2.2%
15
Library Staff
3.0%
21
Library Student
6.2%
43
No response
0.9%
6
Other (please specify)
40
answered question
697
skipped question
76
equivalent)
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16. Library Affiliation:
Response
Response
Percent
Count
Public
22.0%
151
Academic
55.9%
384
School (K-12)
12.2%
84
Special
3.8%
26
None
4.8%
33
No response
1.3%
9
Other (please specify)
39
answered question
687
skipped question
86
Response
Response
Percent
Count
17. Member of ALA?
Yes
88.6%
637
No
9.5%
68
No response
1.9%
14
answered question
719
skipped question
54
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18. If a member of ALA, do you belong to any ALA Divisions? Check all that apply.
American Association of School
Librarians (AASL)
Assn. for Library Collections and
Technical Services (ALCTS)
Assn. for Library Service to
Children (ALSC)
Response
Response
Percent
Count
13.0%
80
11.4%
70
4.6%
28
1.6%
10
49.3%
303
1.6%
10
18.0%
111
12.0%
74
13.8%
85
16.9%
104
9.4%
58
10.6%
65
Assn. for Library Trustees,
Advocates, Friends & Foundations
(ALTAFF)
Association of College &
Research Libraries (ACRL)
Assn. of Specialized & Cooperative
Library Agencies (ASCLA)
Library & Information Technology
Association (LITA)
Library Leadership, Administration
& Management Assn. (LLAMA)
Public Library Assn. (PLA)
Reference & User Services Assn.
(RUSA)
Young Adult Library Services
Association (YALSA)
No response
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Analysis
Optional demographic information showed respondents were . . .
• 75% were female and ALA members.
•Even distribution between the ages of 22-64
•88% have MLS degrees
•Almost half were ACRL members with LITA the second largest group responding
Surprisingly, most users did not view many Web 2.0 features to be essential. Such
features as personalization and social media were considered unimportant to users
Respondents found the most essential aspects of the site should be:
•Improved search functionality with advanced searching features
•Integrated sign in
•Improved navigation to provide convenience and consistency ; fewer clicks
•Efficient, streamlined web site
•Updated systematically so that there are no broken links
•Less text
•Better organizion of site architecture
The comments section of the survey was very illuminating and focused not on Web 2.0
features but on the functionality of the present site.
ALA.org Home Page
Sample 1
Samples
Sample 2
Sample 3
Samples
ALA.org Personalized
Sample 1
Sample 2
ALA.org Goes Mobile
Samples