The following projects were created during the last few years from 2003-2006 either for a UM School of Information class project or while working at the UM's Art, Architecture & Engineering Library (AAEL) or their Visual Resources Collection.
All project links will open in a new window.
Jump to: Research | Usability & Interface | Websites | Databases | Reference & Services
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Deep Blue ~ UM's Institutional Repository
Semester project for SI 692 "Practical Engagement Workshop in Archives and Records." Conducted research for the preservation and formats working group. Assisted with the creation of a preservation policy, assessment of file formats for preservation, development of "levels of service" plan for digital formats, and a best practices guidelines for the creation and conversion of image, audio, video, and text formats.
 My Deep Blue project website
Poster Presentation & Handout at the Society of American Archivists Conference 2005
Official Deep Blue website
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Virtual Reference Assessment
Semester group project for SI 501 "Use of Information." Assessment of local Research Center's virtual reference services. Researched industry norms, conducted interviews, collected qualitative and quantative data, and reported findings with suggestions for improved information flows and communication to make these processes more efficient. Designed group's poster presentation and won "Best in Show."
Poster: On dislpay, Image File, Detail, Handout
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Usability Research ~ www.breastcancer.org
Semester group project for SI 622 "Evaluation of Systems and Services." Created user personas and scenarios, conducted a comparative evaluation, user survey, heuristic evaluation, visual analysis, and usability testing for the non-profit website www.breastcancer.org. Projects stress reoccuring themes of usability, functionality, and aesthetics.
Generalized Transition Network chart (new page with description & example)
Comparative Analysis (new page with description & example)
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Art, Architecture & Engineering Library (AAEL) website
Participated in the committee to redesign the AAEL's website and move to a database driven website. Assisted with information architecture, design & graphics, usability studies (including card sorting & paper prototyping), populating the new database with information, and training staff. The site is currently undergoing its first redesign. For this, I have analyzed web statistics and am in the process of creating alternative design mockups that will be used in simulation testing.
Published article on the project ~
Tolliver, R. L., Carter, D. S., Chapman, S. E., Edwards, P. M., & Al, E. (2005). Website redesign and testing with a usability consultant: Lessons learned. OCLC Systems and Services, 21(3), 156.
Art, Architecture & Engineering Library website
Analysis of AAEL web use statistics, findings & recommendations for the Redesign & Usability Committee (pdf) |
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Usability & Interface Design ~ site redesign
Semester group project for SI 629 "Access Systems for Archival Materials." Assessed the usability of an existing collection's online public access catalog & website, created user personas, designed mockups of proposed site redesign (for 4 different functionalities) and diagramed information architecture of current site and our redesigned version.
Redesigned Interface |
Jump to: Research | Usability & Interface | Websites | Databases | Reference & Services
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Shoah Foundation's Visual History Archive (SVHA)
Member of committee to implement services and create the UM's web portal to the SVHA collection. Duties included assisting with organization of project, web and print graphics, training materials, and community outreach.
UM's SVHA portal |
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Art & Design SearchPath
Redesigned and edited SearchPath tutorial to suit the research needs of UM Art & Design students. Tutorial gives step-by-step instructions for using library resources and research methods. Authored a new module for finding and using images.
UM's A&D SearchPath |
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User's Guide ~ VRC's Online Image Database
Final project for SI 666 "Organization of Information Resources." Web based guide to searching the collection. Guide includes explanations of collection specific taxonomies and general search techniques.
Website |
Jump to: Research | Usability & Interface | Websites | Databases | Reference & Services
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Visual Resources Collection database ~ UM Art, Architecture & Engineering Library
The original database was a non-relational database with little structure or quality control functions. I created a new relational database with Filemaker Pro 6, complete with improved funtionality, a more user friendly interface, and cleaned & migrated the metadata for this 40,000 record database. Consulted metadata standards- VRA's Cataloging Cultural Objects & VRA's Core Categories. Designed the interface to suit the needs of the VRC collection manager and her data entry needs. Second redesign to Filemaker 7 currently in progress.
Database Screenshot |
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Database ~ Art on Campus
Semester project for SI 654 "Database Application Design." Designed & built Filemaker 7 database for storing metadata and images about collections of art that are owned by individual UM departments. Database will be used to create a website for providing access to otherwise unknown art collections.
Database screenshot |
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Policy & Procedures Database (YODA)
Designed for the AAEL's circulation staff as a central location for storing information on policies, procedures, and general information to help improve communication and share knowledge.
Database Screenshot |
Jump to: Research | Usability & Interface | Websites | Databases | Reference & Services
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Reference Services ~ Art, Architecture & Engineering Library Reference Desk & "Ask Us Now"
Almost 2Two years of working for both the Art, Architecture & Engineering Library's Reference Desk and the Library-wide "Ask Us Now" virtual reference service offered to the University of Michigan community as well as the general public. |
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Information Graphics & Poster Presentation Workshop
Developed and presented a 2 hour optional workshop for School of Information students. Topics covered included software selection, basic design principles, information graphics introduction, and logistics for creating and printing presentation posters.
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Internet Public Library ~ Virtual Reference
Semester project for SI 647 "Information Resources and Services." Answered email questions that were submitted to the IPL's "Ask a Question" service.
Internet Public Library's website |
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Reference Handouts
Designed instructional handouts for Faculty & Graduate Students and Undergraduate students.
Larger Image
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VRC Promotional Materials
Designed materials to help promote the Visual Resources Collection. Posters and Screensaver.
Larger Image |
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