Mobile App Project
We developed our mobile app to increase access to the Library system, enhance the online patron experience and attract new audiences.
Background
Before launching the mobile app in April of 2025, our development process included five phases. Input from our community was crucial at every step of development to help make our mobile app as inclusive, accessible and useful as possible.
We will continue to improve the mobile app to meet the needs of the patrons and communities we serve. Please share your feedback.
Phase 1: Discovery and Community Engagement
Based on focus group conversations and survey responses from over 3,000 people, we developed a list of mobile app features that are important or very important to our community, in particular our prioritized communities. These features include access to library information, materials and programming, personalization, communication, and customizability, and maps and navigational aids.
Phase 2: Functionality
This list of features informed our Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a mobile app for the Library. We released this RFP in 2023 and staff evaluated four vendor demo apps. From this evaluation we shortlisted two apps for patron testing.
Phase 3: Design & Usability Testing
As part of our process, we asked patrons to help us by participating in usability testing studies. We were especially interested in hearing from people with disabilities and communities most impacted by the digital divide, including communities of color, seniors, low-income communities, and limited proficiency or non-English speaking communities.
We hired a local human-centered design consultancy focused on government agencies, nonprofits and enterprises with a social-impact mission. They conducted demo app testing with patrons at several Library locations in September 2024.
The results from these usability tests, combined with staff feedback, informed the development of our app.
Phase 4: Implementation
In early 2025, our development partner built our new mobile app. We tested functionality and customized content throughout the process to create an intuitive and accessible app experience.
Phase 5: BETA Feedback & Localization
During the public beta testing period in May and June 2025, many of you tried out the app and shared your feedback. We reviewed each comment and added much of this feedback to our future roadmap for app features and improvements.
We are creating localized versions of the app interface and catalog search functionality to further increase accessibility and personalization for our patrons. This will be available soon in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese.