Libraries - Web Design
A library website has a job description that most web agencies underestimate. It needs to connect to your integrated library system in real time. It needs to run a high-volume event calendar that non-technical staff can update on their own. It needs to serve patrons on mobile just as well as on desktop. And it needs to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards that are now legally enforceable under ADA Title II.
Overview
Seven things every library site needs. We build all of them in from day one.
Patrons search the catalog directly from your site and see live availability, not a static snapshot. Whether you use SirsiDynix, Polaris, Evergreen, or a discovery layer like BiblioCommons or Aspen, the catalog feels like part of the website, not a redirect to a legacy system.
Color contrast, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, properly labeled forms, alt text, skip navigation, and heading hierarchy are built in from day one, not retrofitted after launch. This is the standard required by ADA Title II with deadlines in 2026 and 2027.
Roughly 58% of library website visits come from mobile devices. Patrons check hours from the parking lot, register for programs on their phones, and renew items from the bus. The mobile experience has to be as functional as desktop, not a scaled-down version of it.
LibCal integration or a full-featured WordPress event calendar with capacity limits, automated confirmation emails, and waitlist functionality. Staff can update programs without filing a support ticket.
For library systems with multiple locations, clean branch-specific pages with unique hours, contact information, staff listings, and event filters. Patrons find their branch quickly; the overall site stays organized.
Patron-friendly links and widgets for OverDrive/Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, and other digital lending platforms. Not buried in a menu, not a wall of logos. Intuitive access to the resources your collection includes.
Page templates, event entry forms, and content structures built so librarians and communications staff can update the site accurately and quickly. WordPress is the right tool for this when it's configured correctly from the start.
Process
Five stages from kickoff to launch. Every one built around the requirements that make library sites different.
We start by understanding your library's structure: number of branches, your ILS and digital resource platforms, staff roles who will manage the site, your compliance timeline, and the patron use cases that matter most. We also review your current site and document what's working and what isn't.
Before any visual design, we map the site structure. For library sites, this step includes how the catalog integration will surface, how branches will be organized, how the event calendar will be navigated, and how patrons will move through the site to accomplish their top tasks.
Visual design is built in WordPress with WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance as a constraint from the start. Every design choice, color palette, typography, interactive element, and form field is evaluated against the accessibility standard before development begins.
ILS integration, LibCal or event calendar setup, OverDrive/Libby pathways, room reservation forms, patron card applications, and donation functionality if needed are built and tested in this phase.
Before launch, every site goes through our 75+ point quality check plus a dedicated WCAG 2.1 Level AA audit. We test with automated scanning tools and manual keyboard and screen reader testing. Issues get resolved before the site goes live, not after.
Library websites connect to more external systems than most organizational websites. Here are the platforms we work with regularly.
ILS systems
SirsiDynix Symphony & Horizon, Innovative Polaris, Evergreen. Integration for real-time catalog search and patron account access, whichever system your library runs.
Discovery layers
BiblioCommons, BiblioCore, Aspen Discovery. Discovery layer integration that sits on top of your ILS and gives patrons a better search experience.
Events & rooms
LibCal (Springshare). Event calendaring, space reservation, and room booking integration built for high-volume library programming.
Research guides
LibGuides / LibGuides CMS. Research guide integration, and sometimes a full library website CMS pairing for smaller institutions.
Digital lending
OverDrive/Libby, hoopla, Kanopy. Clear linking and widget integration for the digital lending platforms your patrons already use.
Accessibility
Automated scanning, manual audit, and remediation as part of every build, so WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance is verified before launch, not assumed.
Governance & trust
Library websites carry content that has accountability requirements beyond what a typical business site carries.
Board meeting agendas and minutes, budget documents, and public records request procedures need to remain intact, properly formatted, and accessible after every site update.
When a library seeks funding through a voter-approved measure, the website becomes a campaign education tool. We build the structure to support that content clearly.
Friends of the Library information, donation functionality, and membership sign-ups are built into the site architecture rather than added as an afterthought.
Many public libraries have digitized historical records. We build dedicated, discoverable, and accessible sections for these collections rather than burying them in a generic archive page.
Pricing
Every project's scoped after a discovery call. These are real ranges from the library sites we've built, not minimums designed to get you in the door.
Single-branch library
$2,000-$5,000
One-time build
Multi-branch or full ILS integration
$5,000-$8,000
One-time build
Complex system-level or academic library
$8,000-$12,000
Scoped individually
Most library websites fall in the $2,000-$12,000 range. Where your project lands depends on the number of branches, the depth of ILS integration required, the volume of content to migrate, and the number of custom features like room booking or donation portals. All projects include our 75+ point quality audit and WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility testing before launch.
Send us your project and we'll scope it straight -- no pushy sales.
Deeper reads pulled from our blog, all written with libraries in mind.
Good to know
Most library websites fall in the $2,000-$12,000 range. Simpler single-branch sites with standard functionality sit at the lower end. Multi-branch systems, deep ILS integrations, or sites with complex features like patron portals or donation processing run higher. We scope every project individually. Schedule a call and we'll give you a straight estimate after we understand what you actually need.
We treat WCAG 2.1 Level AA as a build constraint, not a post-launch checklist. Every design decision is evaluated against the standard before development begins. Before launch, every site goes through both automated accessibility scanning and manual keyboard and screen reader testing. We document results and resolve issues before the site goes live. For libraries with existing sites that need remediation rather than a full redesign, we offer standalone accessibility audits and targeted fix projects.
Yes. Many library projects are redesigns rather than new builds. We start with an audit of your current site, document what's working, identify what needs to change functionally and structurally, and migrate your existing content into the new design. The migration approach depends on your current platform and the volume of content involved.
Yes. Staff training is included in every project. We configure the WordPress admin interface to match the roles and responsibilities of your team, so the circulation desk staff who update the event calendar see a different, simpler editing experience than the communications coordinator managing the full site. We document processes and provide training sessions appropriate to each user group.
Yes. Many library websites need to support Friends of the Library information, donation functionality, membership sign-ups, and transparency content for bond or levy campaigns. We build these as part of the site architecture rather than as afterthoughts. Donation processing typically integrates with PayPal, Stripe, or a nonprofit-specific processor your organization already uses.
Timelines depend on scope. A single-branch site typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from kickoff to launch. Multi-branch systems with deeper ILS integration and larger content migrations usually run 12 to 20 weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeline during the discovery call based on your specific requirements, not a generic estimate.
Still have questions? We're happy to answer them, let's connect.
Tell us about your project and we'll take a look. No pushy sales, no wasted calls.