Design & Grow 🌱 | Why Library Science Makes Me a Better Designer

Hi Reader 👋,

As we wrap up the year, I've been reflecting on how different disciplines shape our approach to design. For me, this is library science. In today's email I touch on why library science makes me a better designer (it's a little longer than what I'd typically post, but I just love this topic ❤️). But before we get to the article, I wanted to share three foundational books that beautifully demonstrate how organizing information can create more intuitive, human experiences.

User Friendly by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant

An engaging exploration of how design shapes our world, revealing the hidden influence of information systems on modern interfaces. The book's historical perspective helps us understand how traditional organization principles evolved into today's digital experiences.

How to Make Sense of Any Mess by Abby Covert

A practical guide that brings clarity to the complex world of information architecture, showing how to transform chaotic information into clear, user-friendly systems. Covert makes information organization principles accessible and immediately applicable to digital design challenges.

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

A fundamental text that reveals why some designs delight while others frustrate, examining how humans naturally interact with both physical and digital spaces. Norman's principles of intuitive design bridge the gap between traditional information organization and modern user experience, showing how good design disappears into natural interaction.

The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel
(🎁 A Delightful Bonus Pick)

Manguel explores how humans create and interact with spaces designed for discovery. Through poetic observations about libraries throughout history, Manguel reveals principles that resonate deeply with modern UX design: how environment shapes exploration, how organization influences understanding, and how the architecture of space (whether physical or digital) can either inspire or inhibit human curiosity.

(Note: Some of these links are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend books I genuinely believe in!)

Why Library Science Makes Me a Better Designer

Ten years ago, if you’d told me that my Master’s in Library and Information Science would become my unexpected advantage in UX design, I would have been skeptical. Yet here I am, leveraging principles from library science daily to create better digital experiences.

Here’s the thing: both librarians and UX designers share the same core mission — helping people find what they need efficiently and enjoyably. The parallels run deeper than you might think.

The Hidden Connection Between Libraries and Digital Products

Think about the last time you visited a library. The clear signage, the intuitive organization of books, the helpful search systems — it’s all information architecture. Libraries have been perfecting user experience long before we had screens to tap.

Through my journey from information science to UX design, I’ve discovered five powerful principles that transform how I approach every design project.

The Art of Classification and Information Architecture

In library science, we obsess over classification systems. We learn that the way information is organized directly impacts how easily people can find it. This principle is gold for UX design.

When I’m designing navigation systems or organizing content hierarchies, I apply the same principles used to organize library collections:

Group related items together
Create clear, mutually exclusive categories
Ensure consistent naming conventions
Design for scalability

Recently, I redesigned a client’s website using these principles. By reorganizing their content architecture based on how users actually searched for information (rather than internal organization), we created a more intuitive navigation structure that helped users find what they needed more efficiently.

User Research Through the Library Lens

Library science taught me that understanding user behavior isn’t just about asking questions — it’s about observing how people naturally interact with information systems.

Reference interviews (how librarians determine what patrons really need) taught me invaluable lessons about user research:

Users often don’t know exactly what they’re looking for
The first stated need isn’t always the real need
Context matters more than we think

I now incorporate these insights into my UX research process, leading to richer user insights and better design solutions.

The Power of Controlled Vocabulary

One of the most valuable lessons from library science is the importance of consistent language. In libraries, we use “controlled vocabularies” to ensure everyone’s speaking the same language.

In UX design, this translates to:

Consistent button labels across platforms
Clear and unified error messages
Standardized terminology in navigation
Thoughtful copy that guides users

This attention to linguistic consistency has helped my clients reduce user confusion and improve their overall user experience, leading to more satisfied users and clearer communication.

Accessibility as a Core Value

Libraries have always been at the forefront of accessibility, ensuring information is available to everyone regardless of their abilities. This mindset is crucial in digital design.

I approach every project with universal design principles:

Clear visual hierarchies
Multiple ways to access information
Inclusive design patterns
WCAG compliance as a baseline, not a ceiling

The Long-Term View of Information Management

Perhaps the most valuable lesson from library science is thinking about the long-term lifecycle of information. In UX, this translates to:

Designing scalable systems that can grow
Creating maintainable content structures
Planning for content evolution
Building flexible frameworks

The intersection of library science and UX design isn’t just an interesting coincidence — it’s a powerful combination that leads to better digital products. When we apply the time-tested principles of information science to modern digital challenges, we create experiences that are more intuitive, accessible, and effective.

For designers looking to level up their work, I’d recommend studying these library science principles:

Information organization and retrieval
User behavior and information seeking patterns
Metadata and content management
Accessibility and universal design

The next time you’re stuck on a complex UX problem, try thinking like a librarian. You might be surprised at how well these centuries-old principles solve modern design challenges.

What principles from other disciplines have influenced your design work? I’d love to hear your perspectives!

Next week, we'll look at how business thinking can transform our approach to design challenges – another example of how different disciplines shape our work. (Plus, I'm developing an exciting resource for both designers and anyone curious about applying design thinking to solve problems. Stay tuned!)

Until then, wishing you a peaceful holiday season filled with good books and fresh inspiration.
Kristi