British Library Sound Archives

‘A project to digitise a wide range of content from the holdings of the British Library Sound Archive doesn’t happen unless you collaborate with people. The project is unique because of the diversity of content in the Archive. Cimex’s user experience team was invaluable in helping us evaluate and improve the usability and accessibility of the resulting Archival Sound Recordings website. We thank them for their contribution to this momentous project,’ Archival Sound Recordings Project Manager, The British Library Sound Archive.

Brief

Cimex was commissioned by the British Library (BL) to conduct a usability and accessibility review of its sound recordings website.

The review was conducted in preparation of the digitisation of a wide range of content, providing access to 10 packages of audio recordings from the British Library’s Sound Archive.

Solution

A series of user testing sessions were carried out by Cimex to assess the usability and accessibility of the British Library sound recordings website.

Highlights included:

• Usability testing to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of the site’s navigation and information architecture
• Accessibility testing with disabled users to ensure the website meets accessibility guidelines and is accessible by all

Result

The advice from the report presented by Cimex was used to inform further development of the British Library Sound Archives website.

Visit the British Library Sound Archives website