Library Map of the World

This map-driven website was designed as an advocacy tool for the libraries field. The site displays data from different library organizations around the world. Additionally, library impact stories are shared on the site to connect the library field to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The site was first launched in 2017, with an update in 2018 to incorporate country profile pages and language translation.

My role: Art Direction, Design and Information Architecture (2017–2018), Project Management (2018)
Visit the site: librarymap.ifla.org
Reliable global library statistics is our shared vision." – IFLA.org 

Challenge

  • Display the world's library data at a glance
  • Incorporate library impact stories that highlight their relevance to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
  • Create a backend system that will allow IFLA staff to update, add and publish new data

Process

Our team designed and built a map-based website that allows users to easily toggle between metrics and drill down to individual country data.

The site began as a static comp and was translated into a prototype that was tested among IFLA staff and select members.

​The website incorporates a CMS that allows IFLA to upload and publish data to the site. This allows them to manage and grow the site.
To date, 125 countries have contributed to populating the map with library data and over two million libraries have been counted.
Library impact stories are highlighted to align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Local translations of country-specific pages as well as global site translations in IFLA's six official languages make the site content accessible to many