Business Summary
divibib GmbH operates the »Onleihe«, one of the leading German-language lending platforms for digital media in libraries. Together with dotSource, »Onleihe« was fundamentally modernised both technically and visually across all channels for the web, app and e-ink readers.
With a standardised codebase based on React Native, an accessible design and a modern tracking solution, »Onleihe 3.0« is now technically future-proof, easier to maintain and usable across platforms.
Client | divibib GmbH |
Industry | Media, Publishing & Printing |
Technology | React Native, iOS, Android, Matomo |
Focus | App development, UX consulting, digital marketing |
How divibib Benefits from the »Onleihe«-Relaunch
Reduced development and maintenance effort through a shared codebase
Consistent user experience across all touchpoints: web, app and e-reader
Precise analysis of user behaviour through tracking integration
Powerful and intuitive mobile app for iOS and Android
Accessible for different user groups in line with current accessibility standards
Project Overview
About divibib
Since its founding in 2005, divibib has developed into a leading provider of digital media lending in the DACH region. Libraries use the powerful platform to lend their licensed digital media to readers and listeners. divibib is hosted by the German provider plusserver, ensuring that all data remains in Germany and that data protection is taken particularly seriously.
The digital services of the ekz Group, to which divibib belongs, also include catalogues and IT infrastructures. As a company based in Germany, ekz has a long history of working with public libraries.
Initial Situation
The »Onleihe« has already existed as a web project since 2007 and was supplemented by a mobile app in 2011. The platform’s strong growth led over the years to a fragmented system landscape. The fragmented code base, consisting of isolated code solutions for the app, website and e-ink reader, made the further development, maintenance and cross-channel consistency of the »Onleihe« offering considerably more difficult.
In addition, the existing app suffered from performance issues. A central tracking solution for analysing user behaviour was missing. Overall, the technical infrastructure was no longer state of the art and resulted in limited scalability.
Challenges
In the project, the redevelopment of the »Onleihe« for app, web and e-ink readers had to be driven forward in parallel. Added to this were cross-channel design optimisations, ensuring digital accessibility and implementing the brand experience goals.
Coordination of different requirements and stakeholders, as well as synchronisation of the individual workflows, were key challenges in this complex multi-stream project.
»Onleihe 3.0« – Technically Optimised and User-Centric
Unified new codebase
The web platform, app and e-ink reader integration for »Onleihe« were redeveloped from the ground up on a shared codebase with React Native. This simplifies the maintenance of the applications and ensures significantly improved performance across all end devices.
User tests in the development process
To optimally reflect the requirements of users, extensive user tests accompanied the entire development process at every stage. Feedback from beta tests was incorporated directly into the further development of interfaces and functions.
Focus on accessibility
Digital accessibility was not only integrated in the UX design, but also embedded in the technical implementation. In this way, »Onleihe 3.0« ensures compliance with accessibility requirements and is easy to use for different target groups.
New App for iOS and Android
The new »Onleihe« app is user-friendly and intuitive. Thanks to React Native, it adapts to the specific features of the respective end devices, meaning it can be deployed consistently on iOS and Android devices without any additional coding effort.
Central tracking
Matomo was used to implement a central tracking tool that makes user behaviour traceable both on the website and in the app. In training sessions, the divibib teams learned how to analyse the data obtained and use it for further optimisation.
Project Deep Dives
Integration of Media Playback Software
In the course of the project, dotSource was additionally commissioned to oversee the development and integration of the reader and player software for media playback within the »Onleihe«.
For the reader function, which is used to read e-books and magazines in the app and on e-ink readers, specific requirements were defined and developed externally. This software was then integrated into the newly emerging divibib ecosystem. The player for playing audio and video content across all channels was integrated as an existing technology with a precise fit.
Strategic Advantages Through Central Tracking
To gain deeper insights into user behaviour and users’ preferences, divibib decided to implement the Matomo web analytics platform as part of the ongoing project. Data protection is a high priority for divibib, and Matomo enables GDPR-compliant tracking.
The open-source solution now provides data-based insights into how often products are viewed or reserved, which media are borrowed most frequently and how users respond to new features in the app or website.
Complex Multi-Stream Collaboration
Crucial to the project’s success was the close collaboration between design, development and external partners: while dotSource developed the front end of the »Onleihe«, the back end was handled by an external agency. Regular coordination and extensive user testing ensured continuous exchange and made it possible to incorporate feedback directly into the development process.
The dotSource team used the freedom of developing from scratch to work cross-functionally and deliver tailor-made solutions for divibib.
Successful Relaunch on All Channels
With the »Onleihe 3.0«, divibib now presents its digital offerings consistently across platforms and, at the same time, in a significantly more user-friendly way. Thanks to a shared codebase, accessible design and GDPR-compliant tracking, divibib is strengthening both the technical stability and the strategic further development of its »Onleihe« offering.
In the future, libraries throughout Germany will benefit from a powerful app and consistent user journeys, while divibib will be able to continue expanding its services with a future-oriented architecture.
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