Usability study of the mobile library App: an example from Chongqing University

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the usability of the mobile library App of Chongqing University and to provide recommendations for improving the experience of App users. Design/methodology/approach – Usability testing, which comprised pre-test questionnaires, accomplishing tasks, and post-test surveys, was conducted in this study. The effectiveness and efficiency of the App, as well as user satisfaction with it, were measured. Findings – The mobile App was proven effective but the efficiency of the App required improvement. With regard to user satisfaction, the factors “clarity” and “usefulness” received the lowest and highest scores, respectively. The descriptions of mobile services were unclear and confused users; nonetheless, the services provided by this App were appealing and useful to the users. Based on the measured user experience, this study proposed several recommendations for enhancing the usability of the App. Originality/value – An increasing number of domestic and foreign libraries have begun to use mobile Apps to provide new services to patrons. In the future, smartphones are likely to become crucial to the delivery of information services. Given the extensive use of the Super Star Mobile Library system adopted by Chongqing University Library in China, the usability of such a system must be investigated. Improving the usability of the mobile library App can help enhance user experience.

Usability Attributes for Mobile Applications: A Systematic Review

“…These surveys were created to address the measures based on comparative criteria supplied in the analysis. The results also indicate that there is little difference between the apps in their end results and the aspects conducted in this survey [23]. 2016 Satisfaction and user feeling.…”

Usability of Mobile Assisted Language Learning App

“…Effectiveness means integrity and consistency in the achievement of certain objectives by specified users. Efficiency corresponds to the fast and effective manner in which users can perform the task or the tools they need to accomplish their objectives with respect to reliability and completeness [51], [53], [47]. Satisfaction with users reflects users ' position on the use of mobile applications.…”

“…Nonetheless, in recent studies, large numbers were employed to study the functionality of mobile apps in light of the diversity of mobile devices and platforms. Twelve participants, for example, were requested to check the functionality of their website [40], [53], [18], 12 more were willingly hired to evaluate the usability of another related website [55], [36] and to a re-designed mobile portal of the library of Health Sciences was reclassified to 10 participants [44], [35].…”

“…[34] concluded that repetitive and expensive conventional laboratory testing is often incapable of representing practical uses. [53], [54] stated that lab experiments may be helpful but cannot test people's behaviors in conditions in real life. Actual mobile apps should, therefore, be used as far as possible [57].…”

Неки Аспекти Мобилних Апликација За Факултетске Библиотеке

“…), 9. апликације за професионални развој, да набројимо само неке које смо нашли у релевантној литератури. 17 У литератури се наводи и подела мобилних апликација према алатима за развој апликација. Аутори наводе поделу на нативне, веб и хибридне апликације 18 .…”