ABSTRACT
SUMMARY. This paper distinguishes evaluation procedures in a physical library from those in a digital library, reviewing usability evaluation work within a taxonomy of system design, development and deployment. Usability evaluation of digital libraries should follow two evaluation strategies. The first a convergent methods paradigm. Evaluation data are collected throughout the system life cycle using several different methods. Where comparable interpretations result, evaluators can make confident recommendations for system revision. A second strategy assesses not only the digital library, but the evaluation methods themselves. This self-referring analysis is termed a “double-loop paradigm” and allows evaluators to identify relative efficacy of particular assessment methods for specific library situations. The paper will present evidence for adopting these two strategies, drawing upon the user evaluation effort for the Alexandria Digital Library Project. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworthpressinc.com]
