This collaborative project was commissioned by the Rochester Public Library (RPL) and the City of Rochester. Two interdisciplinary teams of seven RIT students were asked to develop proposals for a mobile library system that would be based at the Lyell Avenue branch, which has seen low attendance numbers in recent years.
In response, Rochester Public Library has secured funding to launch a hybrid library system that combines mobile services with adaptable physical locations. The library has acquired a RAM Promaster 2500 High Roof vehicle to be outfitted as the mobile unit for this new service. The objective of the project was to develop an innovative hybrid system that blends traditional library functions with mobile service flexibility, ensuring accessible library services to the community despite reduced in-person attendance.
The student teams, comprising of interior, industrial, and graphic design students, created proposals consisting of changes to the Lyell Branch Library building, modifications to the van to serve as a mobile library hub, and a graphics package including a wrap for the van.
Throughout the project, we have had several meetings various Rochester Public Library staff, and conducted site visits to various library locations. These interactions proved crucial for aligning our design approach with the library's needs and vision for the new mobile library system. Meeting with RPL staff allowed us to gather detailed insights into the logistical, spatial, and user-focused challenges faced by the Lyell Avenue branch and other locations. The site visits offered valuable understanding of the physical space and user flow, giving context to how the mobile library system would interact with and enhance existing library services. Discussions helped us understand staff and patron preferences and pain points, and shape our design to ensure accessibility, engagement, and utility for the community. This research informed each phase of our design process, ensuring that the final concept was well-aligned with the library’s goals and community needs.
As a result of our research and interactions with the Rochester Public Library staff, we identified four key project goals that would shape our design:
Flexible – The mobile library system needed to adapt to different environments and user needs, allowing for a variety of configurations depending on location, activity, and audience. This goal emphasized a modular design approach that could be easily reconfigured for the diverse needs of the various branches of the Rochester Public Library System.
Mobile Hub – While designing a mobile library, we recognized that non-book resources are equally essential in fulfilling the mission of modern libraries. These resources—such as internet access, technology lending, educational programming, and community services—meet a wide array of needs that go beyond traditional reading materials. Therefore, it was very important to us that this mobile library not only transported books but was also able to act as a true mobile hub for the Rochester Public Library, bringing many other important library resources directly to patrons.
Safety and Inclusion – Ensuring that the mobile library felt welcoming, safe, and inclusive for all was an important design goal. This meant creating an interaction area that library patrons felt comfortable in while serving needs of different types of patrons, as well as a dedicated space for the library staff, fostering an environment that felt safe and supportive for everyone.
Easy to Use – The mobile library system was designed to be easily understood and operated by all library staff, with accessible features that minimized the potential physical work that falls on the library staff and clever features made their lives easier on the job.
Each of these goals helped create a user-centered, adaptable design that would support the Rochester Public Library in its mission to serve the community more effectively.
Flexible
RPL GO! features a variety of book carts, tables, and modular components that can be reconfigured to suit a wide range of settings and activities, adapting to the needs of the different situations that the mobile library could be utilized. The van interior is designed to transport different combinations of components, allowing different numbers of modular components to be transported based on the needs of each event. This flexibility ensures that the mobile library can efficiently carry and deploy the necessary resources needed to each specific location and activity.
Render by Liz Rutalis
Mobile Hub
RPL GO! serves as a crucial access point for technological resources and connected services, bringing the library’s offerings directly to the community. Equipped with onboard WiFi and power, it enables patrons to connect to the internet, complete online tasks, and access print and fax services on board—without needing to visit a physical branch. By providing these resources in a mobile, easily accessible format, RPL GO! helps bridge digital divides and supports community members by allowing popular library resources such as tech help and digital literacy lessons to be facilitated through the van.
Safety and Inclusion
Safety and inclusion are integral to the RPL GO!'s design, ensuring that it serves as a welcoming and accessible space for all patrons. RPL GO! an function both with the side door open, or through the service window depending on the conditions, facilitating convenient indoor/outdoor interactions while providing a dedicated space for the library staff. Vertical staff lockers by the door offer secure and accessible storage for personal items, supporting staff comfort and organization. Additionally, an exterior awning provides shelter from the elements, creating a comfortable environment for patrons to engage with library resources and staff regardless of weather conditions.
Easy to Use
Ease of use is a fundamental aspect of RPL GO!'s design, enhancing both functionality and efficiency for the library staff. An industrial cargo lift simplifies the loading and unloading of heavy book carts, making it easier for staff to manage resources without straining themselves. This feature not only saves time but also reduces the risk of injury. Additionally, the floor and wall-mounted logistics track offers customizable options for securing the carts, allowing for flexible arrangements based on the volume and type of materials being transported. The design ensures that loading the van and setting up are made as easy as possible for the library staff.
Process video created by Katie Updegrove