Divya Mittal
This case study looked at the Internet Archive, focusing on the problems users face when searching for books. I used cognitive walkthroughs to identify issues, analyzed the results, and listed the pain points. Then, I created user personas and a prototype to improve book searches.
This case study focused on the Internet Archive, an American digital library. The primary objective was to gain insights into the current difficulties that Internet Archive users encounter when searching for books, especially since it is primarily utilized for this purpose, as indicated by SEMrush data. To comprehensively comprehend the issues faced by consumers, I initiated the process with cognitive walkthroughs, followed by a thorough analysis of the testing results, and the compilation of a list of pain points. After collecting all the relevant data, I proceeded to construct user personas and develop a high-fidelity prototype aimed at improving the user experience for book discovery.
The Internet Archive is an American digital library founded on May 10, 1996, and chaired by free information advocate Brewster Kahle.
The Internet Archive is like a massive digital library for the internet. It saves copies of websites, books, music, videos, and more so that people can access them even if they disappear from the internet. It's a place where you can explore the history of the web and discover a wide range of digital content from the past and present.
The Internet Archive has archived over 603 billion web pages.
The Internet Archive has amassed millions of books, audio recordings, and videos in its digital collections.
The website of the Internet Archive receives millions of visitors each month.
The Internet Archive collaborates with numerous institutions and libraries worldwide, participating in various projects, but the exact number of collaborations may vary from year to year.
The organization has digitized a substantial number of rare and historical materials.
What do I need to do?
What approaches did I employ to identify the pain points of the current users?
How did I carry out the user testing to collect information?
Derived insights from the assembled data.
A few individuals expressed an interest in Mercedes offering more environmentally friendly options, such as hybrid or electric models, to align with their sustainability goals.
Improve the time to find desired items in extensive collections
Percentage of new users who continue to explore the book section after their initial visit.
To understand the Internet Archive user's requirements and frustrations in a proper manner, I used two methods:
Secondary Research methods - Desk Research
Primary Research methods - Cognitive Walkthroughs
To begin with, I did some online research. I searched for issues people had and read reviews on Quora to better grasp what frustrates people when they're trying to find books using Internet Archive.
The problems people commonly face when trying to find books on the Internet Archive can include:
The search feature does not always return the most relevant results.
The search interface can be complex, which might make it difficult for users to filter and sort results effectively.
Some book titles are missing or wrong, which can hinder their search efforts.
Not finding the book they were searching for.
Some users find the website's user interface and overall user experience less intuitive or user-friendly.
Info about books isn't always right.
Some links don't work.
Lack of guidance on how to effectively search and navigate the Internet Archive's extensive collection.
These issues may vary in severity and frequency, but they are some common frustrations that users may encounter when trying to find books on the Internet Archive.
Cognitive Walkthrough
I conducted a cognitive walkthrough with 3 current users of Internet Archive. I asked them to find the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee on the Internet Archive. They were tasked with searching for it, assessing search results, exploring book details, and refining their search as needed. Throughout this process, they considered the various user options for accessing books. After the walkthrough, I wanted them to tell me what was easy or hard and what could be done better when looking for books on the Internet Archive.
I asked questions to understand the user behaviour and these are the results
Lengthy descriptions that were tough to understand and read.
Two navigation menus offering users too many choices, causing confusion and stress.
Two search bars hindering users in quickly finding essential items.
Design layout that lacks clarity and appears too crowded.
Text content filled with technical jargon, making it hard to grasp the actual meaning and function.
The observations in the provided list reveal several aspects of user behavior and their interaction with a digital platform:
Users tend to prefer concise and easily understandable descriptions. Lengthy descriptions are often challenging to follow, suggesting that users value clarity and simplicity.
Users can feel overwhelmed when presented with too many navigation options. This behavior implies that users may seek a straightforward and intuitive navigation experience.
Users often engage in quick scans of content. When presented with multiple search bars, users may become frustrated, highlighting their preference for efficiency and straightforward search features.
Users favor clean and organized design layouts. An overcrowded design can deter users, suggesting a preference for clear and user-friendly design elements.
Users tend to struggle with technical content, underscoring the importance of providing content that is easy to understand and aligns with the user's level of expertise.
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To efficiently gather primary sources and academic papers for research.
Insights gained from interviews with college students attending such events.
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Efficiently find and access relevant historical documents and primary sources.
Simplify data gathering and analysis to prioritize interpretation and writing.
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Engage in leisure, learning, or personal interest activities by reading, listening, or viewing content.
Effortlessly navigate and discover books for an enjoyable and fun experience.
Problems I figured out to be critical from my analysis.
Users find the search interface complex, making it hard to filter results and causing frustration. The overcrowded design affects the overall user experience.
Some book titles are either missing or incorrect, hindering users' search efforts and potentially leading to confusion.
Users find the website's user interface and overall experience less intuitive and user-friendly, which can impact their satisfaction and engagement.
Dual navigation menus overwhelm users, causing confusion and stress. Two search bars can confuse users and hinder quick access, emphasizing the need for streamlined and user-friendly navigation.
Text content often contains technical jargon, making it challenging for users to understand the actual meaning and functionality of the content, underscoring the need for user-friendly language.
Addressing these critical problems is essential for enhancing the user experience and increasing the effectiveness of book discoverability on the Internet Archive.
Locating trustworthy online plant care guidance can be difficult. Online care plans often overlook your space's unique conditions and your plant's specific needs.
Initiate the actual development of the app. Collaborating closely with developers to transform the wireframes and design concepts into functional features, seamlessly integrating backend functionalities.
Release a beta version of the app to a wider audience for testing, gathering additional feedback and identifying any potential issues before the official launch.
Conduct comprehensive testing and quality assurance to ensure the app's stability, performance, and security are up to industry standards.
Launch the app to the public.
Continuously refine and improve the app based on user feedback.
The hands-on nature of the internship provided me with real-world experience, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
By delving into actual projects, I gained a profound understanding of user perspectives and the impact our designs can have on enhancing their daily experiences.
Collaborating within a team setting was enriching, offering opportunities to share ideas, listen to diverse viewpoints, and witness the collective efforts enhancing the quality of our projects.
Witnessing the tangible positive impact of our designs on end-users was incredibly rewarding.
The internship served as a platform for refining and advancing my skills.
When I first started this project, I didn’t know much about the digital library services that much. But looking back now I have gained knowledge along the way. 🧠
