Posted by Scott W. H. Young on 2026-04-14
The latest issue of Weave—Volume 9, Issue 1—is now available on our website:
https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/weaveux/issue/490/info/
Our Spring 2026 issue features the following articles:
Peer-reviewed
Optimizing Website Usability Testing: Remote vs. Traditional by Linda Salvesen (William Paterson University of New Jersey) and Eric Jeitner (Stockton University)
Regular usability testing in academic libraries is essential to ensure that users can effectively navigate and use the resources available. With the shift toward online resources and the rise of remote and hybrid learning, the modality of these studies must evolve accordingly. Additionally, the growing use of mobile devices to access library resources and services highlights the need for more mobile-specific usability testing. To address these gaps, we compare our experiences conducting usability studies remotely with adapted in-person testing. We outline specific methods and steps for usability practitioners to plan and execute usability testing, regardless of the method. While remote testing proved less effective than traditional methods in certain areas, its lower resource demands make it a viable and scalable alternative when researchers apply it with careful planning and design.
Dialog Box
Elements, Structure, and Aesthetics: Improving Usability and Accessibility on a Library Website Home Page by Isabel Vargas Ochoa (Calfornia State University, Stanislaus)
I describe redesigning a university library home page to improve usability for students and enhance accessibility by meeting WCAG 2.2 level AA standards for state and local government websites. I modified content and elements on the home page aimed at improving the website’s design for usability. Before implementing the redesigned home page, I conducted a usability study with university students to test both the redesigned home page prototype and the existing home page. Students preferred the redesigned home page; however, feedback from students also described continued challenges with library terminology.
Book Review: The Art and Science of UX Design: A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Amazing User Experiences by Anthony Conta by Kay Bronshteyn (Luther College)
A review of The Art and Science of UX Design: A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Amazing User Experiences by Anthony Conta, New Riders, 2024, ISBN 9780138060268, 442 pages, $39.99.
We thank the authors for choosing Weave as the venue for sharing their work with our community.
And to our readers—enjoy this latest issue from Weave!
—
The editorial team at Weave UX.
Editor-in-chief: Scott W. H. Young
Peer-reviewed editors: Denise Quintel, Natalie LoRusso, Brighid Gonzales, Michael J. Aguilar II
Dialog Box editor: Dhruti Bhagat-Conway
Copyeditor: Jennie Callas