Will they goggle if we look like Google? Exploring a new paradigm for the USQ Library Home Page

Abstract

A redesign of the USQ Library Web site was triggered by an overall University Web site restructure and introduction of a content management system. Focus groups held at the start of the project clearly indicated that the catalogue search was the number one reason users visited the Library web site. Online databases came in a close second. This feedback provided the essential user focus for reconsidering the purpose of a library 'home page'. Could we use the Web catalogue interface as the home page, rather than linking to the catalogue from a more traditional home page? Is it possible to provide a streamlined and simplified search experience like Google for users, and still introduce them to the wealth of other resources that the library invests in to assist users with their studies? This paper explores the paradigm shift at USQ from static home page to interactive home page.