Somipam R. Shimray

VI semester

Pondicherry University

Introduction

Traditional libraries are not easy to use effectively.

Contemporary technologies like XML databases; Internet and Web

2.0 provide an excellent environment to disseminate the multi-media

information to the user by breaking the physical boundary barriers.

Digital Libraries (DL) provide an infrastructure for creating,

structuring, storing, organizing, processing, retrieving, and

distributing multimedia digital information via Internet.

User Interface (UI)

A function of the operating system that allows individuals to access

and command the computer.

User Interface (UI) is the junction between a user and a computer

program.

UI is the means by which information is transferred between the user

and the computer and vice versa (Mitchell, 1990).

Well design UI provide users to find and use available information

effectively and efficiently.

The UI key factor for the success of a product.

The architecture of a DL is made up of four components: user

interface, repository, handle system and search system.

DL Search Interfaces

Simple and

Sophisticated (Advance) UI.

Simple search interfaces of Virginia Tech ETDs

DL Search Interfaces

Advance search interfaces of Virginia Tech ETDs

Digital Library interfaces and browsing

Browse screen 1

Digital Library interfaces and browsing

Browse screen 2

User Interface Design Principles

Designing UI for digital libraries is a complex process.

Careful consideration of both system and user characteristics is the key

to success for effective design.

1) Consistency

Layout, instruction, fonts and color should be used consistently

throughout the interface.

2) Simple

DL User Interface should be simple and straight forward as humans

have a very short-term memory load.

Basic functions should be immediately apparent, while advanced

functions may be less obvious to new users.

Functions like Copy, Print, and Save etc. should be included only if a

task analysis shows need/necessity for them.

User Interface Design Principles

3) Support

DL User Interface should provide users to control over the DL. (it has to

enable the users to accomplish tasks using any sequence of steps that

they would naturally use)

UI of a system should support for different tasks. (expert & novices)

4) Permit reversal of action

User should be able to undo or modify actions, example modify queries

or back to previous state in a search session.

5) Provide plenty of space

Lot of space should be made available for entering text in search boxes.

User Interface Design Principles

6) Familiar

The UI of DL should be familiar to its users by allowing them to build on

past knowledge.

Users should not have to learn new things to perform familiar tasks.

7) Informative Feedback

For minor and frequent actions, the feedback could be understated.

For major actions, for instance the changing of passwords or error

messages, the feedback should be in the form of pop-ups or vibrating noises

to alert the user of the situation.

8) Prevent Errors

The system should be designed in such a way that user cannot make serious

errors.

Any avenue of making errors should be minimized.

User should be able to rectify errors easily and all error message should be

clear and specific.

User Interface Design Principles

9) Multimedia Support

Visual representation facilitates rapid and easy communication.

Images, audio, video and audio-video etc.

10) Flexible

Most of the DLs are accessible to users through Internet only.

Possibly normal/home user’s connectivity of Internet is less in speed.

Flexible and simple without having heavy and unnecessary graphics

which causes burden on network traffic and unnecessary delay.

11) Zoom Support

Sections of the collection, or zoom in to see every detail.

User Interface Design Principles

12) Accuracy

Poor display of information, spelling errors and grammatical errors

display poor maintenance and it affects the site’s credibility.

UI of DL should provide accurate information as much as possible to

the user in a proper display mode.

13) Sharing and Reusing of Information

In a computerized environment, the searches of users can be easily

recorded and re-used.

User Interface Design Principles

14) Multilingual Support

At present most of the digital libraries are portals. The availability of

knowledge and information is not only in one language; hence the UI of

DL must support the multilingual support.

15) Platform Independent

Digital libraries are running on Internet, the user’s environment may not

be the same.

Adoptable to all types of environments.

16) Future Plug-ins Support

Development in technologies and ever increasing human needs are

providing new types of information access.

To support future information needs the UI of DL must be capable and

adoptable for future developments.

No click (dcit)

http://www.dontclick.it/

Benefit of Good UI

Fewer error

User return

Increase user satisfaction

CONCLUSSION

The increasing usage of digital libraries poses a new challenge for user

interface development.

Designing a user interface involves many professionals such as software

engineers, graphic designers, human factor specialists, and technical

writers, and statistical consultants.

User-friendly UI speed up the user's work.

UI is the key factor for the success of a product.

References

Arms, W. Y. (2005). Digital Library. Delhi: Ane Books.

Chowdhury, G.G & Chodhury, S. (2003). Introduction to digital

libraries. London: Facet publication.

Lesk, M. (2005). Understanding Digital Libraries (217-231 ed.). San

Francisco: Elsevier.

Sastry, H., & Reddy, L. (2009). User Interface Design Principles for

Digital Libraries. International Journal of Web Applications, 1(2), 86-

90.