Usability and the mobile web : a LITA guide /

This library technology guide from Tidal (web services librarian, New York City Coll. of Technology, City Univ. of New York) introduces optimizing library services and resources for users on smartphones or other mobile devices. Essential to mobile optimization is usability-how effectively users can navigate library web interfaces. This guide includes chapters on mobile devices, mobile apps vs. websites, usability principles and testing, and data collection and assessment. Particularly helpful is an appendix containing sample scripts and forms for librarians to use when testing how representative users navigate mobile interfaces. Refreshingly, the author assumes no prior knowledge, so he touches on all of the key aspects of mobile design and usability, from coding media queries to recruiting test users. Tidal also discusses apps and stand-alone mobile sites, which are now largely passé. He can be overly reluctant to generalize, writing with too many conditionals (if this, maybe that) to inspire perfect confidence. VERDICT Librarians already familiar with usability or the mobile web may find this material too elementary for their needs. But for newcomers-the target audience-this is among the best current guides available.-Michael Rodriguez, Hodges Univ. Lib., Naples, FL © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.