Challenge
Organization
Rush Rhees Library System
Role
Visual Designer
Timeline
Spring 2015
Location
Rochester, NY
Toto is an app prototype exploring a new way to browse a library’s archive in a more useful and intuitive way.
For this project I collaborated with 3 students from design practicum class. We were inspired to pursue this project after learning that less than 5% of a college library’s materials are checked out every month. Given that there are 3 million volumes in Rush Rhees library the problem didn’t seem to stem from a lack of relevant material.
After gathering feedback from the different stakeholders of the problem, we gathered our feedback and embarked on making Rush Rhees libray more accesible to all. Toto aggregates books by playlists, offers lists curated by professors and librarians, and allows users to rate books.
Research
We conducted 20 interviews with students at the University of Rochester asking them why they don’t use the archive at Rush Rhees Library. A staggering 77% have never checked out or rented material from the library. 63% have never used the website.
Key Issues
After analyzing our feedback, we identified 5 temes: 1. The library’s website is too complex. 2. The library has way too much content. 3. I have no idea where to click, where to go. 4. There’s no section featuring new material. 5. The library doesn’t have access to categories of interest.
How did we address it?
We addressed the key issues with the current system by building Toto using playlists. Our research showed that people wanted to engage with librarians and get book lists recommendations from them. The app allows users to browse playlists assembled from the thousands of genres in the archive, and then rate material with stars and write comments, helping other people guide their selection process. The app features a “Book of the day” section that allows people to review new material. All of these features aimed to create an interface that felt “alive” and powered by users.
How might we build the college library of the future?
Organization
Rush Rhees Library System
Role
Visual Designer
Timeline
Spring 2015
Location
Rochester, NY
Toto is an app prototype exploring a new way to browse a library’s archive in a more useful and intuitive way.
For this project I collaborated with 3 students from design practicum class. We were inspired to pursue this project after learning that less than 5% of a college library’s materials are checked out every month. Given that there are 3 million volumes in Rush Rhees library the problem didn’t seem to stem from a lack of relevant material.
After gathering feedback from the different stakeholders of the problem, we gathered our feedback and embarked on making Rush Rhees libray more accesible to all. Toto aggregates books by playlists, offers lists curated by professors and librarians, and allows users to rate books.
Research
We conducted 20 interviews with students at the University of Rochester asking them why they don’t use the archive at Rush Rhees Library. A staggering 77% have never checked out or rented material from the library. 63% have never used the website.
Key Issues
After analyzing our feedback, we identified 5 temes: 1. The library’s website is too complex. 2. The library has way too much content. 3. I have no idea where to click, where to go. 4. There’s no section featuring new material. 5. The library doesn’t have access to categories of interest.
How did we address it?
We addressed the key issues with the current system by building Toto using playlists. Our research showed that people wanted to engage with librarians and get book lists recommendations from them. The app allows users to browse playlists assembled from the thousands of genres in the archive, and then rate material with stars and write comments, helping other people guide their selection process. The app features a “Book of the day” section that allows people to review new material. All of these features aimed to create an interface that felt “alive” and powered by users.
