Website update: A modern design that supports discovery

Libraries and Learning Services website mobile view

Website mobile view

New Libraries and Learning Services website

Welcome to our new homepage!

So what exactly has changed?

  • A new Search Everything box enables you to discover all sorts of content including articles, books, theses, streaming video, images and more.
  • You can use the drop-down options within the Search Everything box for specific things such as Exams, or TV and Radio.
  • Popular web pages are boosted to the top of search results to help you get relevant information faster.
  • Quick access to our Catalogue is useful for when you wish to request an item.
  • More specialised search tools, such as the Manuscripts and Archives search, are linked from the drop-down More option.
  • More of our website can be seen in the top browse menu.

The modern design works across devices including desktop, laptop, tablets and phones and gives an improved experience for users working with assisted technologies. We drew on an extensive programme of research with staff and students to ensure the design supports users just starting out as well as those requiring advanced search tools.

We will continue to develop our website and encourage you to send us feedback. Next year we will be turning our attention to how you will be able to personalise the site.

New look Catalogue

Before Semester One 2017 we are also introducing a new look to the Catalogue. A preview of key features is available from the vendor Ex Libris:

I’ll provide more details as we get closer to the upgrade, at which point you will be able to give feedback on the new look.

Sheryl Baster, Web Manager, Libraries and Learning Services

2 Comments

  • Fraser Lewis-Smith commented on 11/12/2016

    Love the new UI, for a new user this would be volumes (sorry) better than previous. Personally I found it very easy to find the search function and search for my desired content very quickly. One concern is the large promotional feature in the center of the page, currently displaying one link for learning English. This takes up a large amount of space yet is not relevant to most users. I imagine if this was implemented to show multiple promotions as a carousel or similar this would have much more value.

    • Libraries and Learning Services commented on 11/12/2016

      Hi Fraser,

      Thanks for the feedback and your experience of the new search function. Providing simple and quick ways to find desired content is driving the design. To provide a bit more information about the central image, it will be changing on a regular basis. We’ll use this space to promote collection highlights, focus on service areas (as you have noted with the English Language Enrichment summer conversation classes) and also spotlight exhibitions.

      Kind regards,
      Sheryl Baster
      Web Manager, Libraries and Learning Services

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