Chicago Public Library Website Redesign
Information Architecture and Content Strategy
Role: Researcher, Designer, Team Coordinator
Software: Optimal Workshop, Figma
Timeline: January-March 2024
Chicago Public Library is a free and open library for Chicagoans to read, learn, and connect. The website is a portal to access all the services provided by the library across its 81 locations in the state of Illinois. This enables membership holders to search for available books, magazines, and other media, and place holds on them. They can also browse the blog posts, online courses for learning, and information about upcoming events at the nearest location.
About
I. Content Inventory
We started testing by conducting a content inventory to understand the major pages the CPL already had in their navigation. We found that the top navigation of the website had very few items. We also noticed that users can’t access many important pages from the navigation.
II. Card Sort
Following the content inventory, we took all the menu items and created a card sort test to create a more intuitive navigation.
Pilot test + 2 rounds
15 participants
31 cards, 7 categories
III. IA Testing
We then did IA testing on three tasks to see if our navigation structure made sense to users.
Research Methods
Task 1: Find where to book a meeting room
Task 1: You are visiting the Chicago Public Library website to look for a new book to check out. Where would you go to look for books?
88% success
There were many options that could take users to different pages to find books.
Task 2: Find where to suggest a purchase
Design
Task 3: Find information about Chicago history
IV. First Click
Using some screenshots from the Chicago Public Library mobile site, we conducted a first click test to see if users knew how to complete tasks.
I. Site Map
Task 2: You just moved to Chicago and want to register for a library card. Where would you go to do this?
38% success
Need to make a page to better communicate to users how to register for a library card.
II. Wireframes
