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April 30th, 2026
PurdueTHINK team members Aryan Bakshi (sophomore, computer science), Bradan Lenz (freshman, industrial engineering), Ashwin Parab (sophomore, mechanical engineering), and Layla Schumacher (freshman, industrial engineering) partnered with Purdue Libraries during the spring 2026 semester to explore how students interact with library spaces, services, and digital platforms—and how those experiences can be improved through thoughtful, data-informed design. Working as a team and alongside their mentor, Dean Emerita and Esther Ellis Norton Professor of Library Science Beth McNeil, students analyzed Instagram engagement data, evaluated user experience across library websites, and studied physical navigation challenges to identify real opportunities for improvement.
Throughout the project, collaboration with Libraries staff played a central role in shaping both the process and the outcome. As team lead Bakshi reflected, “Working with Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies this semester was an incredibly meaningful experience for our team. What stood out most was how collaborative, thoughtful, and helpful everyone was throughout the project…I can confidently say that without the staff making everything so seamless, our deliverables would not have finished with the incredible quality they did.”
Deliverables
The result was a set of practical deliverables, including updated signage concepts, a marketing strategy, the OpenSeat web-based app, and a comprehensive website improvement plan for Purdue Libraries’ digital ecosystem.
Signage improvements
The team developed updated signage concepts focused on clarity, consistency, and wayfinding. These recommendations aim to make it easier for students to navigate library spaces—especially during high-traffic academic periods.
Marketing strategy (Informed by Instagram Data)
By analyzing Instagram engagement data, the team identified what types of content resonate most with students. These insights informed a marketing strategy designed to improve visibility of library services and make communications more relevant, accessible, and engaging.
OpenSeat website
OpenSeat was designed to solve a common student challenge: finding available study space. The platform helps users quickly identify open seating across library locations, reducing time spent searching and supporting a smoother study experience.
Schumacher shared her perspective on this work, noting: “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with Purdue Libraries on our semester-long project. The support from Library staff allowed us to learn, grow, and create high quality deliverables. I am excited to see how OpenSeat and the new signage will ease the student and staff’s library experience, and how the marketing plan and data will increase engagement.”
Website improvement plan
Beyond individual tools, the team also created a broader website improvement plan for Libraries. This included recommendations for improving navigation, user experience, content structure, and accessibility—making digital resources easier to discover and use.
Lenz reflected on the collaboration behind this work: “Working with Purdue Libraries on our PurdueTHINK project this semester has been an awesome experience…With their help, our team was able to create a project that we’re proud of… Above all else, the highlight of our experience working with Libraries staff was their kindness and generosity. We could not have asked for a better experience.”
Parab also highlighted the value of cross-department collaboration in this work: “One of the most valuable parts of this project was the opportunity to collaborate with individuals across so many different departments within Purdue Libraries. Everyone we met was incredibly open to our ideas and willing to engage with a fresh perspective. That level of collaboration made it possible for us to develop thoughtful, impactful recommendations, and we’re really proud of how the project turned out.”
Project impact
Libraries will use these deliverables as a foundation for ongoing improvements. The signage recommendations will inform future updates to wayfinding across library locations, while the marketing insights will help shape more effective, student-centered communication strategies. The OpenSeat website will continue to be explored as a tool to improve access to study spaces, and the website improvement plan will guide future enhancements to navigation, usability, and accessibility across library web platforms.
This project demonstrates how data, design thinking, and student collaboration can translate into meaningful improvements for the Libraries experience. By combining user research, Instagram analytics, and hands-on design work, the PurdueTHINK team was able to identify real pain points and develop practical solutions that support both physical and digital library spaces.
Reflecting on her time working with the PurdueTHINK team, McNeil said, “Working with Purdue students is always a pleasure and the Spring 2026 PurdueTHINK team excelled! Aryan, Ashwin, Bradan, and Layla were terrific to work with—responsive, focused, thoughtful, and creative. Their engagement with library users and library staff made for a terrific project with excellent recommendations.”
Together, these efforts reflect a commitment to turning student insight into action—ensuring that improvements are not only identified, but thoughtfully implemented to better serve the Purdue community.
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