LibraryLink USA

📌 Inspiration

In many U.S. communities—especially low-income, immigrant, and rural areas—residents are unaware of the full range of free services that local public libraries offer, from study spaces and ESL classes to Wi-Fi and family support. I saw an opportunity to bridge this knowledge and access gap by making public library resources more visible and searchable in one centralized platform. I wanted to make libraries easier to find—not just geographically, but also by the services people actually need.

💡 What it does

LibraryLink USA is a web-based platform that maps and filters public libraries across the United States based on features like:

• Study rooms
• Events and community programs
• Language learning support
• Accessibility features
• Technology access (Wi-Fi, computers, printers)

Users can:

• Search libraries by city, state, or ZIP code
• Filter based on specific needs (e.g., ESL classes or ADA compliance)
• Explore an interactive map of library locations
• Use a multilingual interface for better access

🔧 How I built it

• Frontend: I built the interface using Lovable, a no-code website builder
• Database: I connected it to Supabase to manage and store a national library database
• Data Source: I gathered public data from the IMLS Public Library Survey, then cleaned and formatted it to only include relevant fields (library name, address, city, state, ZIP)
• Map Integration: I integrated Google Maps to display public libraries visually and support search by location
• Search Functionality: I connected the Supabase backend to Lovable’s frontend filters, enabling real-time searching and filtering

🚧 Challenges I ran into

• Finding clean, comprehensive national data was a challenge—I had to filter and extract only the useful columns from the full IMLS dataset
• Managing thousands of data entries within Lovable required troubleshooting backend performance and syncing with Supabase
• I had to learn how to format data correctly for Google Maps to avoid geolocation issues
• Designing for inclusivity pushed me to think about language accessibility, disabilities, and fair search results

🏆 Accomplishments that I'm proud of

• I successfully built a functional platform connecting users to thousands of libraries across the country
• I made public data meaningful and navigable for real community use
• I integrated a national database into a front-end tool—without writing heavy backend code
• I created a scalable and impactful solution for educational and digital equity

📚 What I learned

• How to source, clean, and visualize open data for public-good projects
• How to use Supabase and Lovable together to power a no-code application
• How powerful libraries are as free resources—and how hidden they often are to those who need them
• The importance of user-centered design when building for diverse, underserved audiences

🚀 What’s next for LibraryLink USA

• ✅ Add AI-based recommendations to suggest nearby libraries based on user needs
• 🌎 Expand to include multilingual support (Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Haitian Creole)
• 📱 Develop a mobile-responsive version or native app
• 🔁 Include a user feedback form so visitors can submit updates or add missing libraries
• 🤝 Partner with library systems and schools to keep event calendars updated in real-time and promote equitable outreach

Let me know if you'd like this formatted into a one-pager, slide deck, or hackathon submission draft!

Built With

• google-maps
• loveable
• supabase