Observation Deck: A Digital Toolkit for Librarians

Madison Public Library (MPL), in collaboration with Skokie Public Library (SPL) and Waupaca Public Library (WPL), sought out to develop a librarians toolkit under a IMLS funded project. Their goal was to develop a digital toolkit that would collect and analyze qualitative data in hands-on experiential library programs to support outcomes sharing to stakeholders and continuous cycles of improvement.

Public libraries are doing valuable work for their communities and the only way to showcase their impact has been through attendance and collection data. But, with more libraries nationwide shifting towards hands-on experiential learning such as in arts, maker or STEAM programs where outcomes are more qualitative, capturing and sharing the impact has been more difficult.

Observation Deck aims to fill this gap by building a digital toolkit that would allow librarians to capture stories to round out the library’s impact beyond traditional data metrics in a systematic and organized manner.

Data Collection tool

Designed to capture multimedia, tag data based on a predetermined observational framework, and integrate seamlessly into the workflow without causing interruptions.

Data Analysis Tool

Developed to support exploration and facilitate continuous improvement cycles by identifying opportunities for enhancement and aiding in sharing outcomes with stakeholders and library teams for informed future decision-making.

Sustainable and Expandable Model

Engineered to be scalable and ready for dissemination to a large number of national partners, ensuring broad applicability and longevity.

Prototyping Early and Frequently

The process began with defining a mobile-first application for data collection through iterative prototyping. Recognizing the need for a workflow that would enable rapid testing and iteration, tools were selected that allowed for real data simulation and seamless version sharing with the client.

Prototyping focused on several key aspects: incorporating all the specified features, refining the user journey, and enhancing the overall user experience. During this phase, the prototypes helped clarify different user types, their hierarchical relationships, and their respective capabilities. The user journey was carefully mapped out from start to finish, clearly defining each stage: login/sign-up, home screen/dashboard, details, timeline, session summary, and session reflection. Alongside this, the UI system was continuously upgraded to ensure an intuitive and user-friendly interface.

The analysis was initially categorized into four main types: A) Series/partner-specific data analysis, B) Social media/newsletter reporting, C) Feedback reporting, and D) Quarterly/semester analysis.

These categories were further broken down into specific use cases, which were validated against the real needs of librarians. This validation process led to the development of a systematic analysis tool equipped with robust filtering, grouping, and mode options, enabling comprehensive data exploration tailored to the users' needs.

Technology Stack Selection

The technology stack was carefully selected with a focus on developer experience (DX) and project needs, rather than simply opting for the latest technology. Directus was chosen as the data and authentication provider due to its open-source nature, robust data handling, and support for REST/GraphQL. Vue + Quasar was selected as the framework for its effective routing and state management capabilities without adding unnecessary complexity. Additionally, the Quasar UMD version was utilized to eliminate the need for a build step, further streamlining the development process.

Name Development

The journey began with the naming process. The chosen name needed to draw a connection to the core function of the toolkit. To do so, a naming framework was devised to explore various options. After extensive brainstorming and iteration, "Observation Deck" was selected.

The journey began with the naming process. The chosen name needed to draw a connection to the core function of the toolkit. To do so, a naming framework was devised to explore various options. After extensive brainstorming and iteration, “Observation Deck” was selected.

Designing the Logo

Observation Deck, akin to a color wheel, functions as a sophisticated system for categorizing data. It systematically stores and organizes collected information. The colored dots within the wordmark subtly acknowledge the importance of tagging, while the playful exclamation point infuses a sense of playfulness, contributing to the inviting nature of the brand, complemented by a vibrant color palette.

Chapter 1 (Unique Challenge)

Kicks off by shedding light on the prevailing challenges and gaps inherent in assessment methods within library settings. This sets the stage for the innovative solution offered by Observation Deck, addressing these shortcomings head-on.

Chapter 2: (Big Idea)

Building upon the foundation laid in the first chapter, the storyline delves into the core concepts that underpin the Observation Deck toolkit. This segment elucidates the overarching vision and objectives driving the development of the platform.

Chapters 3,4,5,6

Delve into the functional aspects of the toolkit, each providing insights into its key features: capturing, sharing, tracking, extensibility & customization.

First Vignette (Observing / Collecting / Gathering):

Dots cluster together to illustrate act of collecting

Second Vignette (Organizing / Grouping)

Colored dots arrange to transform into logo to illustrate organizing

Third Vignette (Trends & Patterns)

Color dots rearrange to transform into graph organized by color to data-driven insights