
Since one single pattern is often not really helpful while solving a problem, the Pattern Languages developed. These are written down in so called Libraries or Collections. There exist several ones that deal with Interface Design as well as more specialized ones only for Web Design.
The Design of Sites (Book)
"The Design of Sites" offers a great resource to lead designers through the whole web design process. As it is divided in different categories and begins with an introduction to patterns, it is a good starting point for novices. The website only offers a presentation of the book with two sample chapters, but users can contact the authors with feedback.
Jennifer Tidwell - Designing Interfaces (Book/Online)
Jennifer Tidwell published some of the patterns she described in her
book "Designing Interfaces - Patterns for Effective Interaction
Design". Not all of them are interesting for the design of websites,
but nevertheless are worth a look. As Tidwell works as a webdesigner herself,
she has many useful patterns that help build up a website. Although some of
her patterns describe problems of desktop applications, they are also
applicable in the new Web 2.0 applications. For example, a "Sortable Table"
is also useful in web applications
A left side navigation bar helps the user to find the patterns,
that are structured just like the ones in Tidwell's book.
Web Patterns – A UC Berkeley Ressource for Building User Interfaces (Online)
The pattern library of the UC Berkeley was mainly developed to ensure the consistent appearance of the university websites. However, they describe typical design problems that are useful for every designer. The patterns are confined mainly on navigational and search issues.
van Welie - Amsterdam Collection of Interaction Design Patterns (Online)
Welie's Pattern Collection mainly includes patterns dealing with web design. It is open for discussion and the submission of new patterns. As it contains the greatest amount of patterns at the moment, the Amsterdam Collection is one of the most established ones.
Yahoo! Pattern Library (Online)
In February 2006 Yahoo started its pattern library on an open-source basis (Creative Common License). Before they released their library they used one internally since 2004. The idea of using a pattern library emerged because of the enormous size of the firm. Many departments of the company have to make sure that all applications have the same look. So the main goal was the increase of consistency across Yahoo and therewith strengthening of the brand. Another goal was to increase the productivity of the staff. Using the best-practice examples of the library reduced development time. Starting with 13 patterns, now one and a half year later, the Yahoo! Pattern Library can call 29 patterns its own.
User Interface Design Patterns - UI Patterns (Online)
A new pattern library is the one on UI-Patterns.com from Anders Toxboe, which was just launched in September 2007. Toxboe wants to offer not only the patterns, but also some articles on how to implement the patterns with code examples. His patterns are especially for web applications and so he has special patterns that are useful for Web 2.0 applications, for example tag clouds and similar.
The Diemen Repository of Interaction Design Patterns (Online)
http://www.visiblearea.com/cgi-bin/twiki/view/Patterns/Home_
Hypermedia Design Patterns Repository (Online)
http://www.designpattern.lu.unisi.ch/PatternsRepository/BrowsePattern.htm
User Interface Design Patterns (Online)
Patterns for Personal Web Sites (Online)
http://www.rdrop.com/%7Ehalf/Creations/Writings/Web.patterns/index.html
The Brighton Usability Pattern Collection (Online)