LIBRARY LENS

Challenge: How might we use VR, AR or AI to enhance navigation, exploration, and engagement within the John L. Haar Library while ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for diverse students?

Solution: We designed a mobile AR experience that transforms the library into an game-based navigation system delivered through the user’s phone camera. Using real-time GPS tracking, a beginner-friendly HUD, AI studdy assistant, and voice narration, the app guides students through physical spaces and resources in an intuitive and engaging way. A personality-driven penguin character provides narrative voice prompts, making the interface feel supportive and playful rather than technical. Visually, the interface follows a soft glassmorphism style to integrate seamlessly with AR overlays while maintaining clear hierarchy and readability. Teal and yellow accents picked from the library’s study rooms pair with calming greens to reduce study anxiety and promote focus. Clear onboarding, simplified navigation, diverse study methods, accessible voice support, and minimal cognitive load ensure the experience is inclusive and easy to use for first timers. For future development the app can scale and adapt to different libraries across the globe.