Americana is part of The John Carter Brown Library, which began as a private collection in 1846. Today, it holds one of the world’s most remarkable collections of over 75,000 rare books, maps, and manuscripts. We developed a single platform to bring the entire collection together.
More than two hundred languages and over three centuries of early American history are represented in the library. The digital platform for this collection, called Americana, goes beyond preservation. It enables people to collaborate, share knowledge, and discover new insights. With Americana, the entire digital collection has found a single home — a place that supports both focused research and open exploration. Even items that have not yet been digitized are included on the platform.
Living Collection
Alongside its powerful search capabilities, the platform brings the Americana collection to life by allowing users to annotate, create projects, and publish their research. It fosters collaboration and discussion, enriching the collection with new layers of knowledge. It is a place where curious minds meet.
Discover with ease
As the platform offers a wide range of advanced features, it is essential that the interfaces for these tools do not overwhelm users. The user interface adapts to each task, helping users stay focused on what they want to accomplish.
As a front-end developer, I collaborated closely with the design team to translate complex functionality into a clear and intuitive experience. Together, we refined interaction patterns, visual hierarchy, and responsive behavior to ensure that the platform remained accessible and fluid, even as it supported advanced research tools and diverse user needs.
