Paperback Exchange Full Website Redesign Case Study

Paperback Exchange, a local community library, aimed to revamp its website to better serve its patrons, providing easy access to resources, event information, and library services. The previous site was difficult to navigate, lacked mobile responsiveness, and didn’t reflect the library’s welcoming atmosphere. This redesign project focused on creating a user-centric, accessible, and visually engaging website to improve the overall digital experience for library patrons.

Simplify Navigation: Ensure patrons can easily access essential resources like the catalog, account services, and event information.

Enhance Visual Appeal: Modernize the site’s design with a friendly, inviting aesthetic that reflects the library’s community-focused values.

Improve Mobile Usability: Create a fully responsive website that provides seamless access across all devices.

Promote Library Services: Highlight available resources, upcoming events, and membership options to encourage community engagement.

Streamlined Navigation Bar: A reorganized menu structure to guide users effortlessly to the library catalog, event calendar, account login, and resources.

Interactive Event Calendar: A calendar feature to inform patrons of upcoming events, story times, book clubs, and workshops.

Enhanced Search Functionality: A prominent search bar with advanced filtering options, allowing users to easily search for books, e-books, and other materials.

Accessible, Mobile-Responsive Design: Designed for optimal performance on mobile devices to serve patrons on the go.

Content-Rich Resources Page: A page dedicated to resources, including digital lending, databases, community information, and educational tools.

Primary: Local library patrons of all ages, including children, students, adults, and seniors.

Secondary: Educators, researchers, and local community organizations looking to access and promote library resources.

To create a design aligned with user needs, I conducted interviews, surveys, and usability tests with patrons:

Frequent Visitors: Users noted that finding information about events and reserving books online was challenging with the old layout.

Mobile Users: Over 60% of patrons accessed the site via mobile devices, underscoring the need for mobile responsiveness.

New Visitors: New library patrons reported that the lack of clear navigation made it hard to explore available resources and understand membership benefits.

User Engagement: Measure the time users spend on the website and the number of interactions with features like the catalog and event calendar.

Bounce Rate: Reduce bounce rates by creating a more intuitive navigation experience and prominently displaying key information.

Mobile Session Duration: Track the time mobile users spend on the site, aiming for a 20% increase as a result of the responsive design.

Conversion Rate for Membership: Track clicks on membership sign-up calls-to-action to assess increased interest in joining the library.

The new design focuses on a welcoming, community-oriented user experience that provides easy access to resources and events:

Revised Navigation: A simplified navigation menu makes it easy for users to find books, events, account login, and library services.

Improved Catalog and Search: An advanced search function allows patrons to quickly find and reserve materials, including books, digital media, and educational tools.

Responsive Design for All Devices: The website now adapts seamlessly to desktop, tablet, and mobile devices, enhancing accessibility.

Event Promotion and Accessibility: Interactive elements, like a calendar and featured events section, ensure patrons are aware of upcoming activities.

User-Centered Design: A new visual hierarchy, clear typography, and intuitive layout prioritize readability and ease of use for patrons of all ages.

Name: Maria Thompson Age: 35 Occupation: Teacher and library patron Goals:

Easily access resources to support her classroom and students.

Stay updated on library events and programs.

Access the site on her phone for convenience.

Frustrations:

Difficulty finding event information and digital resources on the old site.

Challenges with the previous search functionality for finding specific book titles.

After the redesign, the library’s website achieved significant improvements:

Increased Engagement: Patrons spent 30% more time on the site, indicating better usability and access to resources.

Reduced Bounce Rate: Bounce rates decreased by 15% as visitors could easily navigate to the information they needed.

Improved Mobile Usage: Mobile session duration increased by 25%, showing improved mobile accessibility.

Higher Membership Interest: Membership sign-ups increased by 20%, driven by clearer information on benefits and easier access to the application process.

For those interested in learning more about best practices in library website design and usability, the following resources are recommended:

Nielsen Norman Group: Provides extensive research on usability principles, ideal for improving library website navigation and readability.

Usability.gov: Offers resources and guidelines on creating user-centered websites, including accessibility and mobile design.

ALA’s Library Website Design Guide: The American Library Association’s guide includes valuable insights on designing library websites with patrons in mind.

Hotjar’s UX Analysis for Libraries: Provides tips on analyzing user behavior, which can inform design decisions for improving library site UX.

Library UX Design Case Studies: Features real-world examples of library website redesigns, including key insights and lessons learned.