SORTING OUT THE ANSWERS

MICHIGAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION 2009

A Case Study of the Clinton-Macomb Public Library

What Are You Doing Here?

You want to know what ‘Card Sorting’ is You’re looking to (re)design your website You’re looking for constructive methods for

redesigning The other programs were not of interest to

you You are anti-Buckeye ‘Wii’ are not amused Construction projects this year? You’re

kidding, right? You were born in the 1900s and think FIC goes

in the 800s.

What Are We Doing Here?

Our website had become outdated…

And we needed a kinder, more gentle site.So first, we had to figure out what process to use when creating our new site.

How Do You Get There?

GOOD to HaveMUST Have COOL to Have

WOAH! STOP!How do we organize all this stuff?

Know your elements! Calendar Catalog Social Media Policies

Information Elements

Contact Information Newberry Winners A Link to Local Law-

Enforcement Storytimes Summer Reading Program Volunteer Sign-Up Card Applications Hours and Location(s) Fines and Fees

Organizing all that stuff

Everyone does it differently. Everyone believes that they’re the ones

doing it right. Everyone actually does do it right.

Intuitive Navigation

Fully Conceptualized

Totally Wrong

Card Sorting: What is it?

Sorting cards. Yep, that simple.

The Card Catalogue and AACR2 are classic examples of card sorting

Survey Results

[screen shot of survey we handed out]

OptimalSort.com

90-day subscription is $199• Unlimited sort participants• Unlimited number of cards to sort• Unlimited number of active projects• Results spreadsheet• Library logo

Free!

OptimalSort.com Tour

You can add contextual

information to each card that the user sees when they hover over the

card.

What is Open Sort?

Open sort is when your users group information elements into arbitrary (user-defined) categories.

Can link from anyone of the

cards to get all the categories this

card was placed in.

Open Sort

1 week in October 2008 26 unique and complete responses For the information element – Book Club

Information here are the responses we received:

Fun stuff to do or things that help you and your community.

Do Events & Activities

Reading help

Library Activities

What's Happening?

Closed Sort

Closed sort is when your users group information elements into pre-defined categories.

Going from Open to Closed Sort

Majority rules, go with your gut for organizing information. 10 Categories

Find ItAbout Us

Who We AreChildrenCirculationUsing Your LibraryGet InvolvedServices

TeenWhat's Happening

Closed Sort Categories

Find It About Us Who We Are Children Using Your Library Get Involved Teen What's Happening Research Local Interest Guides Recommendations

12 Categories – wanted to settle on 7

218 Responses completed in November 2008

Now What?

Fake it, ‘til you make it

And Then?

Testing 1, 2, 3

More?

Tweak! Second (and third andfourth) time’s the charm

What Card Sorting Teaches You Really “terrific” ideas aren’t always what

they seem

What Card Sorting Teaches You Categories can be confusing and should

be tested

Polls Are Your Friend

What Card Sorting Teaches You Just because it seems logical, doesn’t

necessarily mean your patrons will get it

Six-Point Checklist

Gather your elements Design an open sort Confirm (or debunk) open sort results

with a closed sort Mock up a site Test site with real users Tweak design and test some more

Tighten it until it squeaks

Questions?

Aaron Green, Technology Manageragreen@cmpl.org

Juliane Morian, Associate Directorjmorian@cmpl.org

Jamie Morris, Community Relations Specialistjmorris@cmpl.org