Creating a new Information Architecture for Archive Item Pages
UX/UI responsive web design for NLI | The availability of the digital file
About NLI
The National Library of Israel (NLI) is the leading institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich knowledge, heritage, and culture of Israel and Jewish history. As part of its ongoing efforts to fulfill this mission, NLI is upgrading its services to provide extensive online databases and resources. Currently, the library is spearheading a major project to digitize vast portions of its archives, including manuscripts, books, and historical documents.
The Challenege
The biggest pain point that was revealed through user research was detected when users land on an archive item page and struggle to locate the digital item, leading them to confusion about its absence and the available actions to obtain the file.
The Objective
To enhance user clarity regarding the accessibility of the digital item.
The aim was to guide users to effortlessly discern where to access the digital form of the item if it's available for use. If the digital file is unavailable, the goal was for users to be informed about the reason and to become empowered with actionable steps to potentially increase the degree of availability of the item.
Stakeholders and Users
NLI
Managing level
Costumer service dept
Archive dept
Partner institutions
Institutions that make digital files accessible through NLI
End users
Researchers
General audience
Team and Work Enviourment
Project manager
UX UI designer
Programmer
System analyst
Head of Digital Product
Interest parties
Managing level
The Process
We've charted all potential user journeys leading to the encountered pain point.
Our analysis has identified a convergence of two key aspects contributing to this issue: the type of record, as per ICA standards, and the availability degree.
Instead of an empty grey placeholder that represented inavailabilty uninomously in all the records, we decided to inform the user regarding each case of availability differently.
Record Type
Logical Records
Conceptual unit of a data collection
Digital Records
Record in a tangible form
Archive record
Series record
Availability Degree
Legal prevention
Available in NLI residency
Reasons for inavailability
Unavailable digitally
Available digital file
Singular occurrence of an available digital record
Comparative Research
We conducted an analysis of how other official data-collecting institutions communicate to users the location of digital files, reasons for unavailability, and available courses of action.
New Information Architecture
We opted to integrate various elements identified during our comparative research, leading to the development of a brand-new structure.
This structure will be consistently featured above the fold on all archive item pages.
Hover over the element name for more details:
Breadcrumbs
We've introduced this feature, aimed at aiding users in comprehending the ordering narrative and contextualizing the record. This addition serves to enhance user orientation within the archival structure for accessing related information. Each particle is accompanied by an icon, providing clarity on whether a digital file is to be expected on the page.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs
We added this element of fundamental data to the item page, irrespective of availability.
We introduced this summary feature to ensure users can still derive value from the page even when the digital item is unavailable.
I.D.
When the digital file is unavailable, the placeholder specifies the availability level, reason for limitation, and user actions. We've replaced generic grey boxes with tailored text and icons indicating the type of record, offering clarity on unavailability reasons. This provides enhanced information on accessibility levels. Plus, complementary CTAs reduce frustration.
Revised placeholder
העותק הפיסי קיים אצל מוסד שותף
הפריט אינו זמין עקב מגבלות בדין או בהסכם