Technology has always found a home in libraries. But applied library tech – website / interface design has often been consigned to the backrooms of libraries. Fortunately, that’s changing. Several libraries now boast quality collections and learning solutions online. These library systems, rich with examples of databases & service tools, offer a great way to deepen community support.
Professional library planners and designers analyze (and obsess over) tech designs. So should you (except for the obsess part). Analyzing the design of your user experience or just browsing the web – can sharpen your eye. While thousands of libraries provide online collections and services – many strive to offer more value, these libraries and systems gave us some ideas on how to approach user experiences.
Here are Library Collection and Organization Examples.
OFFERING UNIQUE DIGITAL WORKS
Smithsonian Libraries – Collection Search: Collections & deep links are possible.
EXPANDING COLLECTIONS
university of illinois at urbana-champaign library: new primo integration with other libraries.
FOCUS ON USER EXPERIENCE
Salt Lake City Public Library System – Digital Library: Organized content to support the library user.
A TO Z APPROACH
King County Public Library – Online Resources: A – Z approach to finding a resource.
LANGUAGE OPTIONS
Austin Texas Public Library – Virtual: w/ Spanish Option
SMALL COMMMUNITY FOCUS
Darien Public Library – Community Focused
RESEARCH AND LEARNING
Jacksonville Public Library – Research and Learning
DEEP LAW RESOURCE AND LEARNING
Yale Law School Open Library: Lillian Goldman Law Library Scholarship Repository
TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED APPROACH TO GUIDES
MIT Library Research Guides
REPOSITORY FOCUS GUIDE
Allard Pierson Repository
SHARING ALL DATABASES ON ONE PAGE
KAUST: Innovative list of all databases on page
USER EXPERIENCE BRINGS CLARITY
Boston Public Library: Organized by Age and Resources
ACADEMIC VALUES BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM
Tufts University: Jumbo Search
INTEGRATING COLLECTIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS
University of Illinois: Sharing Collections Across the State
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES
One of the most potent economic strategies is the development of user experiences. We believe that libraries are a place for change, providing library planning workshops is an opportunity to gain input. It is an opportunity to build on the needs of the library user.
A long time ago, we started working directly with libraries on their user personas. We developed a set of engagement exercises to understand who they are – where they are going – and – how they are going to get there. Our research sessions offered opportunities for members of the community to visualize the future. We have a library of past project experiences that are offered to our clients.
LIBRARY PLANNING METAPHOR
A great article by the New York Times gives us some insights into a basic community building strategy – “In Where Tennis Soars Despite Rugged Courts,” we learn that community building starts with opportunities for engagement – a tennis court. It is a place where people can volunteer and engage with other members of the community. It is a rugged tennis court that is close to the US Open Tennis / Arther Ashe Facility. It is a place that provides an opportunity to learn and share experiences.
LIBRARY RANKING STRATEGIES
Design Thinking for Libraries can make a big impact on the digital asset resources available to the community. Good tech designs can change the world. Below is a score card you can use to think about your current technology and design status. You can share the score card with your team and rank your platform, library collection, virtual world and community.
