
Shelf Help
Reimagining Library Experiences with 'Shelf Help'
Background
As part of the selection process for a UI/UX design position at <REDACTED>, I was tasked with creating a comprehensive UX design for a mobile app for a local library. This case study showcases my approach to solving this design challenge, demonstrating my skills in user research, competitor analysis, ideation, wireframing, visual design, and testing. The assignment was completed within a four-day timeframe, focusing on delivering a visual product that highlights my abilities and provides a solid foundation for future enhancements.
Objective
This assignment is designed to evaluate your ability to approach a UX design problem, conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and communicate your design process effectively.
Assignment Brief
Search for books.
Reserve books.
Get notified about book availability.
Locate library events and activities.


Design Approach
User Research
Analyzed user demographics, visit frequency, primary purposes, search methods, reservation preferences, notification preferences, and event attendance.
Identified common pain points related to finding books, book availability, and reservation processes.
Competitor Analysis
Identified key competitors like Libby, OverDrive, Go Library, and Bibliotheca.
Evaluated features such as search functionality, reservation systems, notification settings, and user interface design.
Ideation & Wireframes
Did some brainstorming to generate ideas and solutions for identified pain points.
Developed low-fidelity wireframes to outline the app’s structure and flow, created initial interactive wireframes to visualize the basic functionality and layout.
Design & Testing
Developed high-fidelity prototypes to visualize the final design, incorporating branding elements and detailed user interface components.
Collected feedback on ease of use, navigation, feature functionality, and overall satisfaction.
User Surveyy
The primary objective of this survey was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs, behaviors, and pain points of library users. This foundational step was crucial for designing a mobile app that effectively addresses these requirements, providing a seamless and user-friendly experience.

Major reasons to visit library were to study and borrow books, also interestingly no one has ever attended any kind of community event.

Most of the participants spend their time searching books in the shelves and in big libraries searching shelve itself is time consuming.

Majority of the participants were not satisfied with the current reservation process, i.e. visiting library in person and not able to find the book.

The main was difficulty in finding the books, also after wasting time to search and they find out book is not available.

The reason that no participant was attending the any library event or activity was due to lack of a medium to propagate information.

Most requested feature was that a virtual map of the library to locate shelves and books easily.
Important Insights
Finding Books
A significant number of users face difficulties finding books. The app needs an intuitive and powerful search function, along with a library map to ease this process.
Reservation Systems
Many users do not currently reserve books, and those who do prefer in-person reservations. An easy-to-use online reservation system would greatly enhance user convenience.
Books Availability
Users frequently encounter unavailable copies. Real-time updates and a waitlist feature are essential to mitigate this issue.
Notifications
Users prefer app notifications over email for timely updates about book availability and events.
User Persona 1: Student
Keshav is a student who visits the library monthly to borrow books and use the study space. He often struggles to find specific books and encounters issues with availability. An improved search function, real-time updates, and a better reservation system would greatly enhance his library experience.
Pain Points
Proposed Solutions
Difficulty Finding Books: Keshav often struggles to locate specific books within the library, causing frustration and wasted time.
Implement an intuitive and powerful search function that allows users to search by title, author, genre, and keywords. Integrate a visual library map that highlights the exact shelf location of the searched book.
Lack of Available Copies: Frequently encounters situations where the books he needs are not available, hindering his study and research efforts.
Provide real-time availability updates and waitlist options. If a book is currently checked out, allow users to join a waitlist and receive notifications when the book becomes available.
Limited Reservation System: Prefers in-person reservations, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming.
Develop an easy-to-use online reservation system within the app. Allow users to reserve books remotely and pick them up at their convenience.
User Persona 2: Working Professional
Chanya is an engineer who rarely visits the library but uses it for borrowing books, research, and study space. She needs an efficient book reservation system and timely notifications for book availability. Improving these features would make her limited visits more productive and worthwhile.
Pain Points
Proposed Solutions
Efficient Book Reservation: As a busy professional, Chanya needs a quick and reliable way to reserve books without having to visit the library in person.
Allow users to see real-time availability and reserve books quickly. Integrate the reservation system with the user's calendar for easy scheduling.
Timely Notifications: Requires timely notifications about book availability to manage her time effectively and plan library visits.
Users can choose to receive push notifications, emails, or SMS alerts about book availability, due dates, and upcoming reservations. Ensure notifications are timely and actionable.
Limited Time for In-Person Visits: Rarely visits the library due to a busy schedule, so she relies heavily on digital solutions for her library needs.
Provide a robust set of digital resources within the app, including e-books, audiobooks, and online journals. Allow users to access these resources remotely.
Competitor Analysis (Libby, by OverDrive)
To ensure "Shelf Help" offers unique and valuable features, I did analysis of existing library apps and digital solutions. To gain some user insights I collected top and most helpful reviews to draw abetter conclusion.
Negative
Positive


Then I personally moved to the application to try it out, and this is what I felt while using it for the first time. I have not covered all the screens and flows as there was a limited time and more detailed testing is surely possible.

Strengths
Weakness
Support of e-books and inbuilt reader also available.
Visual identity is not consistent throughout the application.
Compatible with a various range of devices.
Bugs in downloading the books and returning them without user’s permissions.
It supports all major libraries in the location, not just limited to a single library.
Very clustered pages and confusing CTA all over the place.
Competitor Analysis (GO Library)
Repeating the same process again, for another competitor. Also, not covered flows like reserving and returning because I will not get the subscription in such less amount of time.
Negative
Positive


Then I personally moved to the application to try it out, and this is what I felt while using it for the first time. I have not covered all the screens and flows as there was a limited time and more detailed testing is surely possible.

Strengths
Weakness
Serves the purpose of reserving books.
Poor customer support.
Compatible with major libraries in the locality.
Visual inconsistencies all over the application.
Scanning feature is good, but glitches sometimes.
App lags due to a lot of information and possible a weak server.
Ideation & Wireframes
To translate the user flow into a tangible design, I created wireframes for each key screen of the "Shelf Help" app. These wireframes serve as a visual guide for the app's layout and functionality. Not every screen is included due lack of time, I have tried to capture the essence of the application. More detailed analysis and combination are surely possible.


Visual Identity
The name "Shelf Help" is clever and catchy! This name suggests that the app is a helpful tool for users looking to navigate and make the most out of their library experience. It's memorable and has a friendly, supportive vibe.
Not much, but due to time constraint it is good enough :)

Visual Design & Mockups
The visual design of the "Shelf Help" app aims to create an engaging, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing experience. My approach focused on clean layouts, intuitive navigation, and a harmonious color palette that aligns with the app’s brand identity. Again, I have not covered each and every edge case for obvious reasons.

Future Scope
As we look ahead, the "Shelf Help" library app has a promising future with numerous opportunities for growth and enhancement. The following areas represent potential directions for further development and improvement:
Enhanced Personalization
Implement advanced algorithms to provide personalized book recommendations based on user reading history and preferences.
Introduce customizable user profiles that allow patrons to set their favorite genres, authors, and subjects, further tailoring the app's content to individual interests.
Expanded Digital Resources
Incorporate e-books, audiobooks, and other digital content directly into the app, allowing users to borrow and read/listen to materials without leaving the platform.
Partner with digital libraries and publishers to expand the range of available digital resources.
AI Chatbot Integration
Develop and integrate an AI chatbot to provide real-time customer support, helping users with book searches, reservations, and general inquiries.
Ensure the chatbot can handle common questions and provide instant assistance, enhancing the overall user experience.
Note on Submission
This case study was completed over the course of four days as part of a hiring process. While every possible edge case may not be fully covered, the primary focus was on delivering a visual product that effectively showcases my skill set. The design process included user research, competitor analysis, user flows, wireframes, and visual design, all aimed at demonstrating my ability to approach and solve UX design challenges efficiently.
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© Prajyot Ramteke - A Digital Product Designer