Central Library: UX Design Project

Introduction

Academic Libraries are vital in our society as keepers and distributors of knowledge and culture. Throughout the years, libraries have evolved and adapted to the needs of a fast-changing society. It is also true that because these institutions are usually publicly funded and under university rules and regulations, resources are limited and, in most cases, need more. There are very few publicly funded universities that prioritise library modernisation when it comes to upgrading their services.

This project aims to design interventions that can improve the experience of students, Faculty, and staff who use the facilities of Delhi Technological University (DTU) Central Library.

Central Library

DTU library enables students to find, search, issue and study books available in the various sections of the library. It also provides other services like publishing and archiving research papers and journals. Library, for many, is the only source of academic materials as essential books are hard to find online and in shops near the university campus.

For the purpose of research and analysis other academic and public libraries were analysed and user feedback was gathered to understand the general usage patterns, advantages and disadvantages of using library services online and offline.

Motivation

As a student of DTU, I use the library and its services a lot. I truly believe that libraries are an essential source of knowledge that helps us in our daily studies. In recent times, my use of the library has changed. From using the library to borrow books, I now use it as a place to gather, socialise and study as a group. As a student, I also need to access library resources without going to the library and require an effective mode of communication to access library services.

Design Process

The Project follows the double diamond design process comprising Discover, Define, Design, and Deliver.

1. Discover: Uncover the users' problems using research methods such as interviews, shadowing, surveys, competitive analysis, personas, scenarios, and journey mapping.
2. Define: Create problem statements, define user needs, develop user insights, create an appropriate design language information architecture, and create conceptual ideas.
3. Design: Develop various ideas into concepts, develop wireframes, and develop low-fidelity and high-fidelity screens.
4. Deliver: Finalise the design concepts, take user feedback, and develop a prototype.

Research Analysis

SWOT Analysis

Competitive Analysis

User Research

1. What support do students require from the library?
2. To what extent are the digital tools provided by the library used?
3. What services can the library improve upon?
4. What obstacles does the library face daily?
5. What role does the library play in today's increasingly digitised landscape?

To gain a deep understanding of the library's users, interviews and surveys were conducted to understand their mindsets, how they feel, and how they perceive the library's services.

Research Outcomes

Mismanagement of Books

• Racks are not numbered.
• Books are old and withered.
• New books are less.
• Books are missing from racks.
• Books are hidden in other racks.
• There is no easy method to search for books.

Study and Collaboration

• Students study in pairs and alone, occasionally in groups.
• Furniture is not conducive to the library.
• Electronic material is not present inside the library.
• There are no separate reading sections.
• There are no quiet floors.
• There are no separate sections for seniors and juniors.
• The library atmosphere is not conducive to collaboration.

Central Library Application Design

• The app requires improved usability.
• The app requires better design in graphics.
• Better information architecture and flows.
• More features.

Central Library Website Design

• A single unified website.
• A good user flow.
• Repository of information.
• An excellent information architecture.
• An E-book repository.
• Improve ease of use.

Empathy Mapping

Finding Themes

The library lacks ample space to accommodate a large number of students, which is a direct result of space management.

The book racks are old, lack care in physical ergonomics, lack proper lighting and are numbered incorrectly, which makes it challenging to find books.

The library lacks the stock to provide everyone with materials for study and research. The digital facilities offered by the library are not designed and appropriately communicated to the students. Digital interfaces established for library use are underutilised.

Defining Point of View

Need #1

Inefficient and underdeveloped websites and mobile applications have led to a mediocre overall experience for the patrons.

Need #2

Improved accessibility of existing online e-services and developed features for modernisation.

Insight #1

The lack of clarity in communication about library facilities has led to increasing frustration among library users.

Insight #2

Develop clean and clear layouts of interfaces to make them easy to navigate.

Problem Statement

Central Library is an essential aspect of DTU. Students from all streams use this service for their studies. However, technological changes have left the library behind in recent years. Due to a lack of modernisation in general, the communication channels and feedback loop established are overstrained and unable to cope with the changing needs of the students. By redeveloping the digital experience through a website and mobile application, we can address the changing needs of the users.

User Personas

Final Design Concepts