A library app for all ages

The problem

The city library network had a web catalogue that was hard to use on a phone, and teenagers and seniors both told staff they avoided it.

What needed to be done

Design a mobile app for borrowing, renewing and finding events that people of any age can use independently.

How the right problem was found

I tested with 20 people between the ages of 7 and 91. Large touch targets and a simple scan-and-borrow flow helped everyone. Seniors preferred text labels over icons, so we dropped icon-only navigation entirely.

The outcome, measured

The app launched in all 19 branches and became the main way to renew loans.

20

Test participants (aged 7–91)

62%

Loans renewed through the app

19

Branches at launch

Skills and tools