Denise Frost, University of Queensland Library, St. Lucia, Qld. 4072, Australia.d.frost@library.uq.edu.au
Cybrary; Library Web Site Design; Library Web Sites; Flexible Learning; Focus Groups; Customer Service
The University of Queensland Cybrary (Joint Winner for Services to Students, 1998 Australian Awards for University Teaching) gives students control of their own learning. Using the Cybrary as a springboard, students can plan their forays into the universe of information.The Cybrary is a powerful support for flexible teaching and an enhancement to flexible learning, empowering students in the world of information.
A key component of the Cybrary is a single integrated Web interface to all Library collections and services - a "virtual library" in a "wired university" - combining the traditional with the innovative.
This paper describes the process of building and developing the Cybrary. Research with focus groups of University students and staff aimed to determine client needs in relation to a library Web site. The research outcomes were used to develop the logical structure and key features of the site and still provide criteria against which ongoing development can be tested. In addition, the Library continues to seek and act upon student feedback.
A review is given of the key features of the site together with typical student narratives to illustrate their use. The latest Cybrary projects are related to customer-based criteria of responsiveness to changing need, helpfulness, customisablity, technical transparency and equity of access.
The management and technical infrastructure supporting the Cybrary is considered.