Senior Project - LOST

The Answer Place is a computerized public access information system, which will be located just inside the main entrance of the new Boulder Public Library. It will provide workstations, through which library patrons can gain access to various kinds of information, such as card catalogs and the Irving system. Since patrons will be unfamiliar with the layout of the new library, one type of information they will frequently want is the location of various services and facilities provided by the library.

Since the library has grown considerably in size with no commensurate increase in staffing, the existing staff may not be able to handle all of these requests. Thus, one of the functions of The Answer Place is to provide an interactive library map, via which patrons may navigate the library and locate services and facilities of interest.

The system is operable in a "user-friendly" intuitive manner using a mouse. All menus are self-explanatory, using icons as well as text. There is one full map of the library, allowing zooming to additional text information and additional sub-maps when an area is selected, continuing to whatever level is appropriate to provide complete information to patrons. The software also provides a maintenance mode, through which non-technical users can reprogram the system, adding or modifying the maps and other information provided by the system as office locations are moved or services are added. The software was implemented using Visual Basic and Microsoft Windows.