WELCOME TO UXLibs!

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WHAT IS UX IN LIBRARIES?
UX in Libraries, ‘UXLibs’ for short, is an international community of library workers committed to exploring and embedding UX research and design methods with a view to providing more relevant user-centric library services to our users. It is also the name of our annual conference (of which more, further below).

WHAT IS UX RESEARCH?
User Experience research is all about exploring the needs and behaviours of our users. This research is conducted with a variety of different qualitative and quantitative methods, many of which are fairly new to the library sector, such as: observation; behavioural mapping; cognitive mapping; usability testing; touchstone tours; cultural probes; semi-structured interviews and user journey mapping.

WHAT IS UX DESIGN?
User Experience design is all about translating data gathered during UX research and translating it into modified or new products or services which are tested and iterated upon through regular user feedback.

WHAT DOES THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE INVOLVE?
Library workers from academic and public libraries all over the world meet every year for our conference at a venue in the UK focusing on a specific aspect of UX research and design. It is very different to most conferences as it is highly interactive and always includes practical workshops and a team challenge. As well as helping delegates to embed their learning it is also a great opportunity for networking. Excellent world-class keynotes and plenaries are also a hallmark of the event. Our delegate profile is very international: 40% are from the UK; 40% from the rest of Europe; and 20% from the Rest of the World. From just over 100 delegates at its first conference in Cambridge in 2015, UXLibs now welcomes close to 200 delegates. It has taken place 7 times, most recently in Brighton in June 2023 where the theme was ‘Connections and Collaborations’.

WHEN IS THE NEXT CONFERENCE?
Our next conference (UXLibs8) will take place in June 2024.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND ANY READING?
Absolutely. Check out the Books page.

IS UX RESEARCH & DESIGN TRAINING AVAILABLE? 
Creator and Chair of UXLibs, Andy Priestner, delivers acclaimed UX research and design training days in libraries all over the world. These are interactive and practical introductions to the practice of UX. Read more on the Training page or Andy’s training websiteOr contact Andy to find out more.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
If you want to find out more about UXLibs then please join our mailing list for updates or follow the @UXLibs twitter account and search on the hashtag #uxlibs.

The UXLibs Committee