We Want Your Input About the Pius Library Web Site
June 4, 2007 — piuslibrarynewsWe are planning a renovation of the Pius Web site.
Please leave a comment and tell us what you use the most and any suggestions you have for improving this Web site to help you find what you need.
Are you interested in participating in a future library Web site usability study? If so, please email your name, SLU status, and contact information to Jamie Schmid.
June 12, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Parts I use the most:
Library Catalogue: I would like more view/sort options
Databases
My Account: I would like additional sort fields for books on my account
E-Journal locator - It would be helpful if the initial links reveal which issues were available.
E-reserves: it seems that multiple windows open up. i would like the option to open in same browser.
Overall, the website is very easy to use, and library staff are all most helpful and gracious. Thank-you!
June 14, 2007 at 10:26 am
Thank you for your comments. Don’t forget to contact Jamie Schmid if you are interested in participating in a Web Site usability study.
June 14, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I frequently use everything under “Find a Book” and “Find an Article”. I also use the ILLiad link regularly.
June 19, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Thank you for your comments John. We are still compiling suggestions so please keep them coming!
June 26, 2007 at 8:48 am
From my experience, most people use the Catalog the most. Second to that is the E-Journal Locater, and then behind that the Database Library itself. Fourth in the running is the E-Reserves (which has a TON of annoying new windows which open every time you click on a link to progress - blarg). The last I can think of that gets used the most is the Selected Websites area with the links to things like ‘Statistics’ and so on.
My only other suggestion would be to freshen up the website’s layout and design. With going to the library already signaling a fairly tiring effort in putting together some form of report or paper, it’d be nice to have a very ‘cool’ or sleek design (much like the one here at WordPress) that isn’t as imposing or ‘blocky’ - which usually translates to serious.
That’s just what I get from people who come to the desk, though. And I haven’t been to work in a month. So it’s possible that I’ve completely forgotten what they’ve all been telling me.
All in all, though, I’d say that the content itself is fairly good. It could use some improvements in terms of layout and convenience, but aside from that I don’t see a need for any ‘major’ overhauls. Mostly just some routine maintenance and rearrangement is in order.
June 26, 2007 at 1:16 pm
For fear of creating a “laundry list” of comments, I:
1. typically use the “Find a Book” applications as well as the MLA and OED “Find an article” links.
2. frequently consult electronic reserves and request books via Mobius.
3. have also requested articles from other Universities. These have been emailed to my SLU account in a timely manner.
4. am concerned about the aesthetic changes being made to the Library itself (particularly the signage) though I suppose these are unrelated to electronic research.
Overall, I find the website user friendly and easy to use; the reference librarians are also eager to help.
June 26, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Nick and Paul, thank you for your comments. You still have a couple more weeks to provide your input. Remember, don’t forget to contact Jamie Schmid if you are interested in participating in a Web Site usability study.
July 13, 2007 at 7:19 am
As much as I use them, I still find myself looking and looking for the basic reference works (dictionaries, etc.). Could there be a shortcut on the home page to these databases?
July 16, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Kenneth, we will take your suggestion into consideration. Thank you for your comments.
July 31, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Where on the website do I find information about who Pope Pius XII was and background on the library itself (e.g., architecture, architects, when built, why named for Pope Pisu XII)?
August 1, 2007 at 10:32 am
Bridget, right now we do not have this information on the site. If you are in need of information on the history of Pius Library, please contact the University Archivist in the St. Louis Room. John can be reached at (314) 977-3091.
August 9, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I typically use the database (WOS), catalog, online journals, and ILL.
That said, I also use the connection through Google Scholar to order or find journal articles. However, if not on campus, it doesn’t directly connect to the SLU libraries. Is there any mechanism of (1) providing instructions to set a home library (such as Pius) for google or (2) putting a google scholar search on the Pius website so that it automatically uses SLU’s resources?
Thanks!
August 13, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Corrected Copy
For convenience, I would like to have a “quick links” menu on the libraries SLULink home page. As it is now, it requires a second step from clicking on the slulink on the desktop to find a page with the quick links.
Thanks.
Bill
August 14, 2007 at 4:53 pm
Becky and Bill, thank you for your suggestions!
To everyone who has commented either on this blog or by filling out the survey, your suggestions have been very helpful in planning the redesign of Pius’s web site. We appreciate the time you took to let us know how you feel about the web site. Shortly, we will be removing the web site survey from our home page. However, if at anytime you have questions or comments about Pius’s web site, please send a quick note to piusweb@slu.edu.
August 24, 2007 at 3:55 am
Becky: You will now find a link to Google Scholar in the drop-down box on Pius Library’s home page as well as in the General category on the Databases by Subject page on the Pius site as well as SLULINK. Thanks for letting us know that you would find this useful.