Everyday Usability: The Smallest Library in the World

Once upon a time, a librarian princess was wandering lost in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Just when she had given up all hope of ever finding the library, she stumbled upon the smallest library in the world.

Located on the corner of Leonard and Withers, the Corner Library is open 24 hours with a lock code, which you can get from the project developer.

Everyday Usability: Accessibility and Self-Service

On a recent field trip to Farmingdale Public Library, we came across these self check machines. They are height-adjustable. First one we’ve seen anywhere.

Check out more posts in our Everyday Usability series.

Everyday Usability: Tray Tables

I don’t take the Amtrak trains often (they’re pretty expensive compared to buses), but recently I took the train and I found their instructions for using the tray table to be confusing.

At first glance, it looks like there are 4 steps in order to use the tray table. After a closer look, it turns out there are just 2 steps to use the tray table and 2 steps to stow away the tray table.

Why would you label the 2 steps to stow the tray table as #3 and #4? It’s not like you would fold the table down and then immediately stow it away as the next step (unless you’re extremely bored on your train ride or the train is stuck for a while due to a signal/track issue – the train problem did happen on my recent trip to DC). So in most instances, you would use the tray table (2 steps – one process) and when you’re done using the table, you would stow it away (2 steps – another process).

I didn’t have any problems using the tray table. Once you lift the table out and fold it down, that was pretty much it, but I just think they could do a better job with the instructions. Thoughts? You can tell me that I’m being nit-picky about this and/or that I probably just got really bored on my train ride and decided to blog about it. Either way, share your thoughts and comments below.

Check out more posts in the Everyday Usability series.

Everyday Usability: Reserving a Library Computer

We’ve found that computer reservation processes at many libraries can be quite complicated and confusing. Chicago Public Library does it right with task/action-oriented signage: “Reserve a Computer”.

However, we’re a bit confused by the Reservation #1, #2, #3. We’re pretty sure that it’s three reservation stations, but does it matter which one we use? Does using reservation #1 mean we get on a computer faster?

What are your experiences with reserving a computer?

How does reserving a computer work at your library?

What about experiences with using computers at places like Kinko’s or business centers in hotels?

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Everyday Usability: Pay for Parking by Phone

Maybe DC is the most user friendly city in the United States. On a recent trip to DC, I noticed this sign. You can pay for parking using your phone.

Has anyone tried it — paid for parking by phone or seen something similar elsewhere?

Check out more posts in the Everyday Usability series.