Beautifully designed library websites, part 2 September 26, 2007
To follow up with my previous post, here is my list of beautifully designed academic library websites, for your design inspiration:
- Yale University Library - just lovely.
- University of California at Berkeley Library - although it does seem rather scrunched up towards the top, it’s a very clean design.
- University of Virginia Library - which is nice until you scroll below the fold - it gets all wonky at the bottom of the page (and it’s not a FF vs. IE thing either, I checked…)
- Ohio University Libraries - I particularly like the way their color-coded “tabs” look
Yesterday, I read on Ubiquitous Librarian, that the Clemson Library website rates the highest for user satisfaction. I took a look at their website, and in terms of design it’s only rather meh, which got me thinking: can you have a really well-designed library website which is both beautiful and functional?
I’m also a big fan of Northwestern’s site. Its just so retro, but clean and simple too. http://www.library.northwestern.edu/
Some libraries have to conform to University templates so that kills creative design.
As for Yale— nice but tired, they’ve had that same design for over 5 years now. With Cal, I don’t like horizontal menus, that’s just me though. I love UVA but the site is too busy– they give up too much prime space for advertising events.
As for Clemson, yeah, users have no idea what to look for!
Oh, I know all about University templates! The one I work with is currently one of my biggest frustrations.