Usability evaluation of online digital libraries of educational institutions

Abstract

Advancement in technology bestowed people with numerous invaluable gadgets and devices. Mobile phone is one of the most distinguished products of modern technology. The researchers, software engineers and scientists have joint venture to explore the possibility of mobile phone technology. Their toiling efforts are being consumed in broadening the application and usability of mobile phone. Many applications have been programmed to assist the process of learning for the convenience of teachers and learners. In this research, we aim at evaluating the usability of Online Digital Libraries of different Pakistani Universities. Indeed, there are different ways to evaluate the usability of online library applications, such as interviews, card sort and Shneiderman’s Eight Golden Rules, and Heuristics Nielson 10 golden rules etc. To evaluate and enhance the usability of mobile app, we used Nielson 10 golden rules. These set of rules and guidelines provide right direction and allow us to identify major usability issues. We have found the main usability issues in the mobile App libraries; if they are fixed, they can become more effective for the users to search their required materials.