Winner of a 2026 Clarivate Library Innovation Award, Rochester Hills Public Library transformed how young readers discover library materials by creating a child-centered experience with Vega Discover.
When children walk into a library, they are rarely searching for a specific title or author. More often, they are looking for dinosaurs, princesses, monsters or favorite characters.
Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) recognized that traditional library catalogs are often designed around adult search behaviors, creating barriers for younger patrons who discover books differently. To address this challenge, the library used Vega Discover to create a themed kids catalog, delivering a more intuitive and developmentally appropriate discovery experience for children and their families.
The initiative was recognized through the Clarivate Library Innovation Awards, which celebrate libraries that are using technology in creative ways to improve services, expand access and strengthen community engagement.
Designing around how children discover
RHPL approached the project with a simple question: What would a catalog look like if it were designed around how children actually explore and choose books?
The answer came from combining library expertise, user testing and the flexibility of Vega Discover.
According to RHPL, young children often think in themes, images and interests rather than titles, authors or keywords. User testing with children and parents revealed that visual browsing experiences helped younger readers feel more confident and successful, while older children benefited from navigation centered on favorite series and characters.
The result was a catalog experience that supports multiple stages of reading development. Younger users can browse visually through topics such as dinosaurs, monsters, dogs and princesses, while more confident readers can navigate through series and familiar characters.
Rather than asking children to adapt to a traditional catalog experience, RHPL adapted the catalog to better meet the needs of young readers.
“Drawing on my background in early childhood education, I knew a traditional catalog search wouldn’t meet the needs of our youngest patrons. Young children don’t look for books by title or author – they think in pictures and concepts like dinosaurs, princesses or monsters,” RHPL shared in its award submission.
Building a unified discovery experience
For RHPL, creating a children’s catalog was not about introducing another standalone tool. Vega Discover allowed RHPL to create a specialized experience while maintaining a connection to the library’s broader discovery environment.
The library also focused on where and how patrons would interact with the catalog. A kiosk was placed near a high-traffic play area leading to the Storytime room, creating opportunities for both intentional searching and spontaneous exploration.
This placement proved to be just as important as the technology itself.
RHPL also discovered that children engage with discovery in different ways. Some patrons arrive with a clear goal, while others explore through curiosity and experimentation. Designing for both types of interactions helped create an experience that serves a wide range of ages and developmental stages.
From searching to shared discovery
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the project was the way families engaged with the catalog together.
During testing and ongoing use, RHPL observed parents and children gathering around the kiosks, discussing interests, exploring themes and selecting books together. What began as a discovery tool evolved into a shared experience that encouraged conversation and engagement.
This deeply human outcome reinforced the value of designing experiences around real user behavior rather than assumptions about how technology should be used.
The results
The themed kids catalog has generated strong engagement both inside and outside the library.
In a recent 30-day period, the catalog recorded more than 13,800 views. During 2025, patrons accessed the catalog more than 29,000 times from outside the library, demonstrating demand for developmentally appropriate discovery tools beyond the physical building.
Users spend an average of 3 minutes and 37 seconds engaging with the experience.
The most popular browsing themes include:
- Monsters
- Dinosaurs
- Princesses
- Dogs
- Planes
These results support RHPL’s approach of organizing discovery around the interests and behaviors of young readers.
The success of the catalog has also influenced future planning. RHPL’s Youth Services redesign will include additional catalog kiosks based on demonstrated patron demand and engagement.
Sharing innovation with the library community
RHPL designed the project with scalability in mind.
The library built its kiosk environment using Chrome OS Flex and refurbished hardware, creating a cost-effective model that can be replicated by libraries with a wide range of budgets. Today, RHPL operates 11 catalog kiosks using this approach.
Beyond its local impact, the project has contributed to the broader library community. RHPL presented its work at the 2025 Innovative Users Group (IUG) conference in Denver through a session titled “Modding Vega Discover: How I Stopped Using Defaults and Learned to Love Customization.” Staff have also shared implementation guidance, customization approaches and lessons learned with other libraries exploring similar initiatives.
Libraries including Valley Library Consortium have adopted elements of RHPL’s approach, while RHPL continues to support peers interested in expanding Vega Discover customization.
Looking ahead
The success of the kids’ catalog has encouraged RHPL to expand the themed catalog concept into additional service areas.
The library plans to launch new themed discovery experiences focused on Innovative Items and Bookmobile services, applying the same user-centered approach that made the children’s catalog successful.
For RHPL, the project demonstrates that innovation is not simply about adding new technology. It is about understanding patron needs and using technology thoughtfully to remove barriers, encourage exploration and create more meaningful library experiences.
By combining expertise in youth services with the customization capabilities of Vega Discover, Rochester Hills Public Library created a discovery experience that helps young readers find materials more independently, supports family engagement and provides a model that other libraries can adapt for their own communities.