Toward a persuasive academic library website

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate users’ perspectives on the significance of the library website features missing from an academic library website according to PD criteria. Based on a valid and reliable checklist of the PD criteria and their features, an academic library website was carefully explored to identify the features under each PD criterion which were missing from the website. The resulting data was used to design a researcher-developed questionnaire to investigate users’ views on the significance of these missing features. The findings highlighted the significance of the PD criteria features missing from the library website. Finally, several courses of action for librarians and website designers are suggested. They can be used as a guide to designing more effective library websites, and this can ultimately result in the increased use of libraries and their services.