In a happy partnership, the Friends of the Mathews Memorial Library Board cooperated with Dennis Whitcomb, computer science teacher and RCC adjunct instructor at Mathews High School, and 10 of his Advanced Web Design students to redesign the Friends’ website.

The students got experience working with a "real" client, said a press release, and the Friends got an attractive new website and the opportunity to talk with a new audience about the library’s expansion plans.

The students worked in two teams, competing to design a site that will build support for the library’s current addition project, improve access to information about ongoing programs, and attract new members to the Friends group. Both teams produced handsome designs incorporating updated features that improve functionality and readability.

After a formal presentation by the students on Jan. 14, board members made the difficult choice between the two contenders.

Team 1, consisting of Laur...