Applying user experience strategies to enhance an NHS library space
- PMID: 40495735
- DOI: 10.1111/hir.12574
Applying user experience strategies to enhance an NHS library space
Abstract
This study explores the application of user experience (UX) strategies to enhance the learning environment within the Leeds General Infirmary Library, part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Despite the growing importance of UX in digital services and academic libraries, its adoption in health libraries has been limited. This paper details the implementation of three UX techniques-Graffiti walls, observations and behavioural mapping, and love and breakup letters-adapted from Andy Priestner's toolkit. The findings highlight user preferences and behaviours, leading to practical, low-cost improvements in the library space. The study underscores the value of UX methodologies in optimising library services to better meet user needs, even in resource-limited settings.
Keywords: communication; libraries, health care; library space utilisation; participant observation; stakeholders.
© 2025 Health Libraries Group.
References
REFERENCES
-
- Appleton, L. (2016). User experience (UX) in libraries: let's get physical (and digital). Insights: The UKSG Journal, 29(3), 224–227. https://doi.org/10.1629/uksg.317
-
- Blake, M., & Gallimore, V. (2018). Understanding academics: A UX ethnographic research project at the University of York. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 24(3–4), 363–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/13614533.2018.1466716
-
- Campbell, A. (2022). User experience (UX) librarianship and health sciences libraries (HSLs). Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 41(1), 26–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2022.2021032
-
- Health Education England. (2020). Knowledge for healthcare policy statement: Learning space within NHS knowledge and library services in England. Retrieved September 30, 2024, from https://library.hee.nhs.uk/about/knowledge‐and‐library‐services‐policies...
-
- Priestner, A. (2021). A handbook of user experience Research & Design in libraries. UX in Libraries.
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
