Proposal 12: Contents Metaphor –Briefly explains the metaphor that I have chose, and why I think it is a good one to use. Interface Design –Lists the objects that are to be used, and gives some details of how they can interact with each other. Three Common Tasks –Details on how to search, browse, or loan books.

Metaphor I have chosen to use A ‘Virtual Library’ Environment –Copies the features of a real library, such as ‘shelves’ ‘index boxes’ ‘library card’. (The exact objects used are described in the Interface Design) Because most users should have some familiarity with a real Library, so they should be able to grasp the use of the same features in a virtual library –Libraries are complex systems, using familiar items should make their functions easier to understand.

Metaphor (the Virtual Library) The Main areas are –Help Desk (For getting help and assistance) –Loan Desk (For reserving / loaning books) –Library Shelf Browser (For Browsing) –Search Desk (For Searching) –Library Card (For Account maintenance etc) –Notice Board (for Library Notices) –Basket of stored books (user can place books into this basket and use them later on)

Interface Design Objects –Basket : stores books for later use –Search Cards: These are always on the Search Desk, these can be filled in, and the ‘submitted’ to the ‘index box’ –Index Box : Contains Index cards, which are returned when a Search Card is used with it. –Index Cards : Shows all the information on a particular book. Can be dragged to the ‘basket’ to store a book for later use (such as reserving)

Interface Design (2) More Objects –Shelf-browser Window A window which shows the position of the most recently used book along with the other books around it. The viewpoint of this window can be scrolled around, to allow the user to browse the shelves. –Loan Desk When a book (or index card) is dragged to the Loan Desk, the user is presented with whatever dialogue is appropriate to loan that type of item (such as reserving or ordering). It may also make sense to use the Library Card for this function also (but is too much of an abstract concept to be the only option).

Interface Design (3) Even More Objects –Library Card Can be used to access your account information, such as current loans, fines, fees, etc. –Help Desk Dragging an item (such as a search card) onto the help desk would provide context-sensitive help for that item. Using the Library card with the help desk would help the user to manage their account. –Bin : For removing unwanted books or search cards

Three Common Tasks Searching for Books –This will be done using the ‘search cards’, which can be found on the ‘search desk’ Browsing for Books –This will allow the user to browse along the shelves as if in the real Library. Reserving Books –The user can reserve an individual book for loan, so that they won’t make a wasted trip to the library.

Common Task1: Searching (1) Searching takes place on the ‘search desk’. Search terms are entered onto a virtual ‘search card’ which is shown on the desktop. The search card can be activated by dragging onto the index box, or by pressing a ‘submit search’ button on the card

Common Task 1: Searching (2) –There will be one item at the top for ‘search in any field’ and a list of other possible search fields to fill in (Title, Author, Keyword, Subject, ISBN, Class no). There will be ‘check’ boxes to limit the search to a particular type of resource. –When the ‘search card’ is submitted, it is stored in a Stack of previous searches that are visible onscreen and may be browsed. –Search Results are shown as a ‘stack’ of record cards. These can be discarded (dragged to bin), or further searched (by submitting another search card). –By Selecting an icon next to each field, it will be possible to sort the search results by that field.

Common Task 1: Searching (3) Advantages over existing System –‘Smart’ Searches can easily be performed. If the user knows enough information that will identify the book they need, they do not have to choose a type of search first. –Searches can be performed, in one step, using a variety of different fields. E.g. It is possible to search for all ‘physics’ books authored by Newton. –Search Results can be sorted by different fields, and can be easily browsed.

Common Task 2: Browsing Browsing will be done in it’s own window, in the same way as in the ‘real’ Library. –The user may choose a ‘building’, followed by a room, section, then shelf. –At each stage, the user may go back (up the hierarchy) to the previous section. –Each room, section and shelf will have similar (or better) signage to that used in the real Library to guide the user. –Once at a particular shelf, the books will also be ordered and positioned in the same way as in the Real Library.

Common Task 2: Browsing (2) The authors and titles of several (or many) books will be shown at one time. The user will be able to move their ‘viewpoint’ along the rows or up and down the shelves. The user can select a book, and drag it to their ‘basket’ for later use (or directly to their library card to use it now). A ‘Search Card’ can be dragged to the Shelf- Browsing window to perform a search only within the currently selected area.

Common Task 2: Browsing (3) Benefits –It is easy to find ‘similar’ books. –Library systems are well tried and tested, over many years, and provide good methods for browsing by subject. –It will assist the user in locating books in the real Library.

Common task 3 : Reserving A book or index card is dragged to the Library card to initiate a loan. –The book may be dragged from the on-screen basket, or directly from the ‘shelf-browser’ window. –Assume that the user wishes to borrow this book, and guide them with an appropriate dialogue depending on the status of the book. If book is out on loan, then you can add yourself to any ‘waiting list’ for notification when it returns. If the book is not loanable, you should be notified why this is so, and given instructions as to how you may view the book in the library. If the book is available, it can be reserved for you until you get to the library.

Common task 3 : Reserving Advantages over current system –Assists user to loan or view book, whatever the current book status is. –Allows user to reserve an in-stock book (for a limited time), so that they may get to the Library before it is loaned to somebody else.