User Testing on UMDiscover

Digital Programs and Initiatives (DPI) conducted 3 days of user testing on UMDiscover, the Libraries’ Primo discovery interface in McKeldin library on the week of April 1, led by Graduate Assistant Tingwei Hsu. Our team collected 47 participant responses on the usability and accessibility of various terminologies, item details, filters, and search results of the interface. The vast majority of participants were undergraduate students, with about 20% of respondents being graduate and PhD students, or faculty and general public. The participants enjoyed free Maryland Dairy ice cream as a perk of taking the user tests. 

The test asked users to navigate the Primo search interface to find known and unknown items, then record the filters and tools that they employed as part of their search process. We also gauged user understanding of the search options such as “Journal Search” or “Browse Search”, as well as faceting options like “Resource Type”. 

Overall, participants found the new site to be easy to use and noted that the Primo search results were accurate and relevant to their expectations. We found that many users prefer to request items or ask the help desk for help to locate materials in order to avoid searching in the physical library stacks. In addition, online options are more commonly used than physical materials. 

Some participants also felt that the large amount of information and item metadata on item pages were overwhelming and made it difficult to find information. Others were confused by the process to access online articles through databases. Our team will consider further research and testing to improve these features. 

The end of the user test included a closing survey that yielded the following results: 

• 89% were able to use the catalog to find materials they needed.
• 83% were able to easily find information on how to access materials.
• 76% felt that the new version of the library search is an improvement compared to the current version.
• 74% felt like this catalog is designed for someone like them.

The full report of findings and recommendations has been shared with members of the Libraries’ Primo Discovery Interface Working Group, and changes have been implemented into the customization and content design of the interface ahead of the migration on May 23. The interface will continue to be optimized following the launch of UMDiscover.