avo.
BCPL
Mobile interface redesign for the Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL).
I executed a user-informed redesign to strengthen brand identity and highlight available customer resources.
"[The interface] feels more approachable and engaging... it makes the library's digital presence feel like a natural extension of the welcoming in-person experience we strive to provide."
User Testimonial:
- BCPL Staff on the redesign's potential impact
Project Type
Personal Project
Key Skills
Ideation
Desk Research
Market Analysis
Product Design & Iterations
Interactive Prototype
Project Overview
The Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) system is a network of 19 branches across Central Maryland. In addition to the standard library service of physical and digital book lending, BCPL offers a wide variety of free resources, activities, and specialty services that the average customers and community members are unaware of — including legal aid, college and career prep, scholarly research databases, TV/movie/music streaming, and many more.
While customer reviews praise the current app's ability to conduct mobile tasks such as book holds and checkouts, the existing interface fails to sustain customer engagement when it comes to additional library services and community events.
My goal with this project was to establish a more vibrant visual experience, improve user awareness of the variety of resources available, and streamline the checkout and retrieval process for physical and digital media
Current BCPL Mobile Interface
Problem
I aimed to address the following key problems during the redesign:
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Poor customer engagement/awareness resulting in underutilized resources.
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Lack of personalization
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No notification system for events and community engagement opportunities.
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Poor data retrieval — inconsistent wayfinding and non-intuitive information architecture.
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Third-party apps required to download and view digital content.
How might we draw attention to underutilized resources to increase user engagement with available programs and services?
Process
Competetive Analysis
Current BCPL users are required to download a third-party app to view their borrowed digital media — ebooks, audiobooks, etc. I analyzed these apps and the top direct competitors to assess the current solution's strengths and weaknesses and identify opportunities to integrate popular features.
Key Features:
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Digital library card
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Track return dates & send reminders
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Embedded e-book reader and audio player
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Download titles for offline reading and listening
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Browse the digital and physical catalog
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Save titles and use tags to create personalized reading lists
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Send e-books to Kindle, Nook, etc.
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Sync reading/listening positions on all devices
Brand Analysis
I focused on updating features and improving usability without deviating from BCPL's established brand identity — creating a consistent visual theme and cohesive brand synergy with the existing desktop site to minimize friction, maintain familiarity, and reduce cognitive load when transitioning between the website and app.
Type Family:
Arial Regular
Arial Bold
Arial Bold Italics
Headings:
BCPL Catalog Interface - Desktop Site
User Flow
Wireframes
When moving into the design phase, keeping key features central and accessible was a top consideration when establishing early iterations of the interface layout. Providing clear and intuitive navigation, maintaining relevant information hierarchy, and providing opportunities for flexibility and personalization were design priorities.
Prototype
Although a robust testing period was not within the scope of this project, I spoke informally with BCPL staff and patrons ahead of higher-fidelity design iterations. The core changes I implemented based on their feedback included: customizable widgets on the home screen to provide quick access to their most-visited apps and features; in-app audio content streaming with direct download integration to physical e-readers and apps; clear and central navigation to additional branch services; due date tracking and title renewal availability; and a personalized calendar to track and save upcoming events and programs.
Lessons Learned & Design Continuation
A challenge I faced during this project was designing for such a large and diverse user group. BCPL patrons include individuals from all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. Ensuring design solutions and features were equally beneficial to each user subgroup was a difficult task. For example, the user flows needed to be simple enough to be navigable for less tech-savvy users without being too mundane in order to keep more technically literate users engaged.
If I were to continue this design, I would first like to complete a more extensive round of usability testing. With such a large user group, there are perspectives and critical user needs that would become apparent with a more thorough testing process.
In addition to testing, I would also like to take account personalization a step further by designing unique interfaces for different user age groups. Tailoring each design to include age-appropriate graphics and features, allowing parents and guardians to set age restrictions to monitor content viewing. I would also like to explore an iPad version geared towards children, offering interactive learning activities and digital game boards to track reading goals, milestones, and participation in BCPL-sponsored programs like The Summer Reading Challenge and Battle of the Books.