1. MOBILE
LIBRARY APP
GOES HOME
HOW TO LEND BOOKS FROM YOUR FRIENDS AND
OTHER DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO USE THE LIBRARY IN
THE 21ST CENTURY
OIKKONEN HEINI
Helsinki City Library
21.11.2013
6. What we know about smartphones?
Smartphone is more personal than a PC
Smartphones are used anywhere, anytime
Smartphones interact with the real
physical world
Smartphones stimulate quick
interactions and consuming rather than
complex information retrieval
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Helsinki City Library
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7. What we know about users
Users know that one can lend books from a library
Most library users visit library frequently
Users are very concerned about loan fees and
renewing their books on time
Users loan books from user to user without telling it
to library staff
Many users forget when they should return their
books
Some users have stopped using the library because
it’s easier to get access to information and literature
elsewhere
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Helsinki City Library
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12. What users want (and we asked)
Users had little expectations before testing the product. Their
expectations grew during the project.
Some users understood the concept easily, some had
difficulties understanding how the friend-loan worked.
However, almost everyone said they would definitely use the
app / friend-loan if the service would be available.
For most users it was easier to comment on an actual product
than just an idea
Users would like to know what their peers are reading
Users would like to manage their own loans in an easy and
accessible way & find books in new ways (augmented reality)
Users would like to go on a blind date based on their reading
habbits
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Helsinki City Library
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19. 1. Digital content won't replace
traditional content for a long time, but
will complement it.
2. Social content won't replace
traditional content for a long time, but
will complement it.
3. Make it open for non-tech users and
high-tech developers to collaborate. Mix
well-known services with new ideas and
start with what users already know.
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Helsinki City Library
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