Folkbibliotekens webbplatsers grafiska användargränssnitt Kvalitativa intervjuer med webbansvariga
The web sites of Swedish public libraries display a high level of heterogeneity when it comes to design and graphical user interface. The thesis is based on the opinion that the visuals of a public library web site have implications for the user as well as for the library. The design of the graphical user interface influences the attention of the user and his/her ability to absorb information. Furthermore, there is a connection between the visuals and the users opinion about the credibility of the content of the web site, as well as of the organisation itself. The research question is: Which factors may have an impact on the design of the graphical user interfaces of a public library web site? The purpose is to create an understanding for these factors and emphasize them. The empirical material consists of semistructured interviews with in all twelve web masters. A strategic method of selection was used in order to attain variation concerning the visuals and design of the web sites user interfaces. The theoretical context is human-computer interaction, cognitive psychology, and graphical user interface design for the web. The result shows that the following factors may influence the visuals of a web sites graphical user interface: the educational and professional background of the web masters and their experience of designing for the web; the web masters knowledge level of HCI principles and web design guidelines; the distribution of the work, and the use of internal and external expertise; the amount of hours and number of staff invested; the commitment of the library management and the library staff; the purpose of the web site; and the existence of municipal design guidelines.