Library Web Apps and Mobile Apps

[Swackhamer, Amy]

My library also recently started using Library Anywhere from LibraryThing (but sold through Bowker). It offers a downloadable native app for iOS and Android, and a universal mobile page that can be used in any mobile browser. The native app recently added a barcode scanning feature to enable patrons to quickly scan a book's barcode and see if their library owns a copy of the book in any format.
http://www.librarything.com/blogs/thingology/2011/10/barcode-scanning-in-library-anywhere/

LibraryThing was very helpful in working with us to get everything functioning right, and the administrative interface is easy to use. They also provide usage statistics if you want to see how much your patrons are using it, and what kind of phones they're using.
This app is largely for catalog functions, although you can add some additional information like branch locations, hours, & contact information and links to other pages.

Amy Swackhamer 
Virtual Branch Administrator - Frederick County Public Libraries 
301-600-3787 / aswack at FrederickCountyMD.gov



-----Original Message-----
From: Web technologies in libraries [mailto:WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Louise Alcorn
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 3:50 PM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [WEB4LIB] Library Web Apps and Mobile Apps

I agree with Leo that it would be better to have mobile-enabled websites, which would auto-detect mobile use and simply swoosh (technical term) people over to a mobile-optimized site for our catalog, online databases, other services, etc.  That is, indeed, our eventual goal.  Realistically, we have a 5-6yo website content management system we're locked into for a bit longer, plus a 10yo ILS which (library gods willing and the creek don't rise) we can update soon.   So "middleware" apps or similar might be an interim solution to keep us from losing patron support.  


Louise E. Alcorn
Reference Technology Librarian
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Pkwy
West Des Moines IA 50265
(515) 222-3573      louise.alcorn at wdm.iowa.gov 
(note new email domain as of July, 2011)
http://www.wdmlibrary.org   



-----Original Message-----
From: Web technologies in libraries [mailto:WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Leo Robert Klein
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 2:19 PM
To: WEB4LIB at LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [WEB4LIB] Library Web Apps and Mobile Apps

Well, I can absolutely see the need to make our content 'mobile-friendly'*.  I just don't see how 'mobile-friendly' translates into obliging people to download a site-specific 'app' just to access the content.

That's where I'm wondering what the traffic and usage is.  I mean, if I had it my way, we'd simply send someone a bookmark and call it an 'app'.

LEO

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* Using such 'built-in' tools as HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, etc.

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2011-11-14

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