1. Somipam R. Shimray
VI semester
Pondicherry University

2. Introduction
 Traditional libraries are not easy to use effectively.
 Contemporary technologies like XML databases; Internet and Web
2.0 provide an excellent environment to disseminate the multi-media
information to the user by breaking the physical boundary barriers.
 Digital Libraries (DL) provide an infrastructure for creating,
structuring, storing, organizing, processing, retrieving, and
distributing multimedia digital information via Internet.

3. User Interface (UI)
 A function of the operating system that allows individuals to access
and command the computer.
 User Interface (UI) is the junction between a user and a computer
program.
 UI is the means by which information is transferred between the user
and the computer and vice versa (Mitchell, 1990).
 Well design UI provide users to find and use available information
effectively and efficiently.
 The UI key factor for the success of a product.

4.  The architecture of a DL is made up of four components: user
interface, repository, handle system and search system.

5. DL Search Interfaces
 Simple and
 Sophisticated (Advance) UI.
Simple search interfaces of Virginia Tech ETDs

6. DL Search Interfaces
 Advance search interfaces of Virginia Tech ETDs

7. Digital Library interfaces and browsing
 Browse screen 1

8. Digital Library interfaces and browsing
 Browse screen 2

9. User Interface Design Principles
 Designing UI for digital libraries is a complex process.
 Careful consideration of both system and user characteristics is the key
to success for effective design.
1) Consistency
 Layout, instruction, fonts and color should be used consistently
throughout the interface.
2) Simple
 DL User Interface should be simple and straight forward as humans
have a very short-term memory load.
 Basic functions should be immediately apparent, while advanced
functions may be less obvious to new users.
 Functions like Copy, Print, and Save etc. should be included only if a
task analysis shows need/necessity for them.

10. User Interface Design Principles
3) Support
 DL User Interface should provide users to control over the DL. (it has to
enable the users to accomplish tasks using any sequence of steps that
they would naturally use)
 UI of a system should support for different tasks. (expert & novices)
4) Permit reversal of action
 User should be able to undo or modify actions, example modify queries
or back to previous state in a search session.
5) Provide plenty of space
 Lot of space should be made available for entering text in search boxes.

11. User Interface Design Principles
6) Familiar
 The UI of DL should be familiar to its users by allowing them to build on
past knowledge.
 Users should not have to learn new things to perform familiar tasks.
7) Informative Feedback
 For minor and frequent actions, the feedback could be understated.
 For major actions, for instance the changing of passwords or error
messages, the feedback should be in the form of pop-ups or vibrating noises
to alert the user of the situation.
8) Prevent Errors
 The system should be designed in such a way that user cannot make serious
errors.
 Any avenue of making errors should be minimized.
 User should be able to rectify errors easily and all error message should be
clear and specific.

12. User Interface Design Principles
9) Multimedia Support
 Visual representation facilitates rapid and easy communication.
 Images, audio, video and audio-video etc.
10) Flexible
 Most of the DLs are accessible to users through Internet only.
 Possibly normal/home user’s connectivity of Internet is less in speed.
 Flexible and simple without having heavy and unnecessary graphics
which causes burden on network traffic and unnecessary delay.
11) Zoom Support
 Sections of the collection, or zoom in to see every detail.

13. User Interface Design Principles
12) Accuracy
 Poor display of information, spelling errors and grammatical errors
display poor maintenance and it affects the site’s credibility.
 UI of DL should provide accurate information as much as possible to
the user in a proper display mode.
13) Sharing and Reusing of Information
 In a computerized environment, the searches of users can be easily
recorded and re-used.

14. User Interface Design Principles
14) Multilingual Support
 At present most of the digital libraries are portals. The availability of
knowledge and information is not only in one language; hence the UI of
DL must support the multilingual support.
15) Platform Independent
 Digital libraries are running on Internet, the user’s environment may not
be the same.
 Adoptable to all types of environments.
16) Future Plug-ins Support
 Development in technologies and ever increasing human needs are
providing new types of information access.
 To support future information needs the UI of DL must be capable and
adoptable for future developments.

15.  No click (dcit)
 http://www.dontclick.it/

16. Benefit of Good UI
 Fewer error
 User return
 Increase user satisfaction

17. CONCLUSSION
 The increasing usage of digital libraries poses a new challenge for user
interface development.
 Designing a user interface involves many professionals such as software
engineers, graphic designers, human factor specialists, and technical
writers, and statistical consultants.
 User-friendly UI speed up the user's work.
 UI is the key factor for the success of a product.

18. References
 Arms, W. Y. (2005). Digital Library. Delhi: Ane Books.
 Chowdhury, G.G & Chodhury, S. (2003). Introduction to digital
libraries. London: Facet publication.
 Lesk, M. (2005). Understanding Digital Libraries (217-231 ed.). San
Francisco: Elsevier.
 Sastry, H., & Reddy, L. (2009). User Interface Design Principles for
Digital Libraries. International Journal of Web Applications, 1(2), 86-
90.