The I-Share Users’ Group (IUG) seeks volunteers for the Usability Testing Volunteer Group (UTVG). The UTVG will be a standing group of volunteers from I-Share libraries responsible for testing various usability issues that are related to CARLI systems. The I-Share OPAC Team or the CARLI staff will propose testing.

There is no specific commitment period for participating members. Libraries will stay on the volunteer list until CARLI staff is notified of their desire to be removed. There is no minimum number of usability tests that a library must perform each year. Specific usability tests are determined by the I-Share OPAC Team or CARLI staff and distributed to the group for possible testing.

To volunteer for the Usability Testing Volunteer Group please complete the online volunteer form at http://www.carli.illinois.edu/comms/volunteer.php and choose “Usability Testing Volunteer Group” as the group you would like to serve on.

Background

The IUG OPAC team and CARLI staff make decisions concerning customization of various I Share systems based on user input. Usability testing is the ideal way to obtain this input. There has been no mechanism in place to conduct usability testing. The formation of this group will provide a pool of libraries that will be available when usability testing is required.

Charge

Testing is limited to systems that CARLI controls. The OPAC Team and the appropriate CARLI staff will determine what issues need to be tested. Staff testing for Voyager clients is not included in the charge for this group.

The OPAC Team determines the specific test and sends the request to the listserv. The OPAC Team should provide the necessary guidelines for the volunteer library, including:

• General function/scope of issue to be tested
• Full description of what needs to be tested
• Naming/labeling options if needed
• General time frame for reporting results

Volunteer libraries agree to administer testing in their library. Questions and a report are sent back to the OPAC Team. The specific responsibilities of the volunteer library include:

• Consult with the OPAC Team for any additional clarifications
• Create test scripts
• Organize patron (non library staff) volunteers
• Meet local IRB requirements
• Perform tests
• Report findings back to the OPAC Team
• Inform their I-Share Library Liaison of volunteer status

Membership

A call for volunteers for the group will be put out once a year. The CARLI staff IUG liaison will request additional calls for volunteers if the number of volunteers is not sufficient to maintain the activities of the group. The volunteer list is maintained by the CARLI office as part of the “Usability Listserv” (UTVG) for access when usability testing is required.

To volunteer, a person representing their library, agrees to take on a specific usability question to test in their library as posted by the OPAC Team or a CARLI staff member to the Usability Listserv (see Assignment of Usability Testing below for more details). For the duration of the testing the person who volunteers for their library is the liaison to the OPAC Team, appropriate CARLI staff and the Usability Listserv, for the purposes of conducting usability testing in their library. The volunteer is responsible for communicating and reporting to the OPAC Team via the listserv but may delegate activities in their library related to the specific usability test(s).

The volunteer also assumes all responsibility for their library’s local IRB requirements. The assumption will be that the appropriate library administrator is aware of the responsibilities of the person volunteering and the commitment of the library for testing.

Costs

The Library assumes all costs for testing.

Usability Listserv

The Usability Listserv will be the main communication tool for the OPAC Team, CARLI staff and the usability volunteers. Possible testing requests from the OPAC Team and/or CARLI staff will be posted to the listserv and members can pick and choose the specific test they want to complete in their library.

The listserv can also serve as a communication tool for issues/comments related to usability as determined by the list’s membership. The I-Share Library Liaison from each participating library will also be added to the listserv (if different from the library’s volunteer) unless CARLI staff is otherwise instructed. However the volunteer from the library is responsible for maintaining communication with the OPAC Team regarding the usability test.

Time frame for testing

The OPAC Team in consultation with the volunteer library will determine the time frame for testing and reporting results.

Reporting

The OPAC Team, in their Annual Report to IUG will provide a brief list of the tests conducted by the group during the year . Issues related to the structure and logistics of the group will be presented to IUG as needed for clarification or evaluation.

Process for rotating volunteers

There is no specific commitment period. Libraries will stay on the volunteer list until CARLI staff is notified of their desire to be removed. CARLI staff will send out a call for volunteers and a reminder to volunteer libraries to renew or remove their name from the list if the library no longer wants to be active. There is no minimum number of usability tests that a library must perform each year. There is no maximum number of libraries that may volunteer.

Approved by I-Share Users’ Group, March 27, 2009

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