Walking Paper

A library design consultancy and blog by Aaron Schmidt

Category / Website Design

24 Sep 13

Catalog by Design

Aside from paying very little attention to visual design and not caring about the impact of horrible typography, the big problem with library catalogs is that they are not designed to help people accomplish library tasks. Instead, they’re designed to expose catalog records. I’m not even talking about lofty library tasks like learning, creating, and …

Read More
7 May 13

Richland Library Website

I learned about the Richland Library website in a good presentation by Kelly Coulter, the library’s Virtual Services Librarian. Solid site with a lot of things going for it. Kelly knows her stuff so I think this site will only get better. Neither here nor there: note their .com TLD. Don’t see many libraries with …

Read More
12 Mar 13

Introducing Prefab: the Library Website Service

I’m super excited to announce a new project from Influx: Prefab: the library website service. Prefab is a ready to launch website designed for libraries. We’ve designed an amazing library website so you can concentrate on developing awesome content. How it works Sign up, fill in your content, launch. All in the same day, if …

Read More
31 Jan 13

A Bit of Data about Removing Jargon

James Cook University Library measured the outcome of removing some library jargon from their website. No surprise, things look positive: The Catalogue and the more meaningless Tropicat were replaced by Books, DVDs & more. Hits up 10% Bounce rate steady Reserve Online replaced by Readings & Past Exams. Hits up 100% Bounce rate down 25% …

Read More
15 Jan 13

Less Clutter, More Useful

Keeping libraries free from clutter shouldn’t solely be the purview of the fastidious. It’s something we all can achieve, and should! With less clutter, people will have an easier time of finding what they want, and they’ll have a more peaceful experience. Conversely, clutter in and around the library is a user experience issue we …

Read More
3 Jan 13

Critical Tasks from Pew Internet

The latest Pew Internet report – Mobile Connections to Libraries – gives us some info about the critical tasks for library websites. 82% of them searched the library catalog for books (including audiobooks and e-books), CDs, and DVDs. 72% got basic library information such as the hours of operation, location of branches, or directions. 62% …

Read More
27 Dec 12

Very Clear Message from IFTTT

IFTTT has a no nonsense homepage that boldly displays a clear statement of what the site is all about. It also features a very plain and easy to use signup form.

Read More
9 Dec 12

Contrast Makes Websites Easier to Read

Cecily Walker clued me in to the beta Multnomah County Library website and made an apt comparison to my Plainest Library Website Ever doodle. Here’s the new MCL site: They’ve whittled it down to some important basics. I’m impressed. The layout is pretty good, but the page is difficult to read. Click through and you’ll …

Read More
Older Posts