Mapping Metaphors for the Design of Academic Library Websites

摘要

Internet has changed the way people acquire and consume information. In the academic setting, students turn to the library websites in the stead of visiting the library for their information needs. Using metaphor in the design of library website creates a resemblance that is grounded sensorily, psychologically, and conceptually on the physical library. This study aims to identify the analogies that connect the library website elements to the real-life library experience. Organizational, functional, visual, and textual metaphors elicited from the participating library users may provide an integrative design construct that incorporates real-life library experience into the design of library website.