OU Libraries Launches Redesigned Website to Enhance User Experience
In an effort to better serve students, faculty, and staff, the University of Oklahoma Libraries will launch a comprehensive redesign of its website in early January. The updated site, which will remain at libraries.ou.edu, will offer a modern look, simplified navigation, and improved organization so users can more easily find the resources and services they need.
The new site reflects months of planning and design, informed by user feedback gathered through beta testing to improve the overall user experience.
Highlights of the New Website
- Intuitive Navigation: A restructured layout helps all users – from first-year students to experienced faculty researchers – find information more quickly.
- Clear, Engaging Content: Updated content strategy prioritizes clarity, a conversational tone, and practical guidance, making it easier to understand available resources and how to access them.
- Accessibility: Built to meet widely recognized accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA), the site ensures an excellent experience for all users.
- Consistent Design: Standardized page layouts provide a cohesive look and feel, improving usability and ease of navigation across the site.
Behind the Redesign
The project was led by the Libraries Web Advisory Working Group, formed in 2023 and composed of representatives from across the Libraries, including liaison librarians, Special Research Collections curators, Acquisitions staff, and members of the Library Technology Operations team. Guided by shared principles and a common lexicon, the working group relied on user research to plan how information would be organized, grouped, and labeled to best serve both new and experienced users.
Continuous Improvement
Although the website redesign is complete, input will continue to be gathered through targeted presentations, user testing interviews, and the site feedback form to guide ongoing updates, ensuring the website remains relevant and easy to navigate.
We are grateful for our longtime website users and understand it may take some time to learn the landscape of these redesigned pages.
We encourage all of our users to explore the new OU Libraries website and find a more accessible, user-friendly way to connect with the resources and support you need.