Abstract

Information users and usability constitute the main building blocks of today's electronic information world. This important new text is the first to give a holistic overview of all of the necessary issues relating to information users and the usability of information services in the digital world, including user-centred design, and the characteristics and behaviour of information users. This book helps readers understand why information users and the usability of information services are important and equips them to play a proper role in designing user-centred information systems and services and to properly exploit information services for the maximum benefit of users. It covers all of the major issues, the current situation and what the various research studies from around the world show. It includes chapters, covering: information users; human information behaviour; usability of information systems and services; usability: internet and web information services; usability: digital libraries and information services; barriers to information access and usability; the digital divide and social inclusion; the digital divide and usability of digital information services: the global perspectives; and, current issues and trends. It is an essential reading for researchers and practitioners interested in the design and evaluation of digital information systems and services, as well as for students on library, information, and digital library courses.
G.G. Chowdhury is Professor of Information and Knowledge Management, University of Technology Sydney, and Sudatta Chowdhury, Lecturer,at UTS Communication, University of Technology Sydney.
"Aiming to fill a need for books on usability written for professionals who design and provide online information services, this is a clear and accessible guide to examining information needs and developing effective user studies to assess online information services. G.G. and Sudatta Chowdhury approach their topic from a library and information science perspective, giving the reader basic skills that can be used to design, conduct, analyze, and apply usability research when developing online information services. VERDICT: Highly recommended for libraries and library professionals providing resources via the Internet." - Library Journal