Application of Color Information to Facilitate Finding Books in the Library

Abstract

Objective: We propose to apply color information to facilitate finding books in the library. Background: Currently, books are classified in the basis of a decimal classification system and a call number in the library. Users find a book using the call number. However, this classification system causes various difficulties. Method: In a process analysis and survey study, we identify what the real problem is and where the problem is occurred. To solve the real problems, we derived a new search method using color information. We conducted a comparative experiment with 48 participants to see whether the new method can show higher performance. Results: The new method using color information showed faster time and higher subjective rating scores than current call number method. Also, the new method showed faster time regardless of the skill level while the call number method showed time differences in terms of the skill level. Conclusion: The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by experiments. Users will be able to find the desired book without difficulty. This method can improve the quality of service and satisfaction of library use. Application: Our book search method can be applied as a book search tool in a real public library. We hope that the method can provide higher satisfaction to users.