There is now an ‘app’ page on the Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) wiki. https://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/Apps

Please feel free to add any more examples you find...

Ken

CEO, Ken Chad Consulting Ltd

Tel +44 (0)7788 727 845. Email: [log in to unmask] www.kenchadconsulting.com

Skype: kenchadconsulting   Twitter: @KenChad

Open Library Systems Specifications:  http://libtechrfp.wikispaces.com

From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gary Green
Sent: 03 October 2011 11:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Native mobile apps versus web apps

Hi all

I'm in two minds about whether we should be providing mobile enabled websites or apps.

I can see the sense in going for a mobile version of a site, rather than an app. for all the reasons Phil mentions - the main being that more people with a range of mobile devices with internet access are able to access the site, without discriminating against anyone who doesn't have the more popular phones, such as Apple or Android.

However, at the same time, one of the benefits of providing a native app is that it can, in some cases, go beyond the idea that what you are providing is simply a mini version of the website. An app is built around programming functions rather than html code and can provide extra features more easily than if you tried to squeeze them into a html web page. Also, if more and more people are going to be accessing our services via mobile devices in the future, maybe it would be better to encourage the development of apps that can provide access to a wider range of library services that are much more than just the information/services you have access to on a website?

Thanks,

Gary Green

Technical Librarian
Virtual Content Team
Surrey County Council

Tel. 01306-881499

Fax. 01306-743240

Surrey Libraries Twitter: www.twitter.com/surreylibraries
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/libraries

An outstanding council making Surrey a better place
Forward thinking - responsive and reliable - working with others - value for money

-----"lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: -----

To: [log in to unmask]
From: Phil Jones <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: "lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 03/10/2011 10:58AM
Subject: Native mobile apps versus web apps

Dear All

I know alot of Library Services will have been thinking about library apps for mobile phones recently and wondered if it was something that ought to be discussed here as it's quite expensive to pay for a native app and it may be that a web app (or mobile phone friendly website) is more appropriate.

Having been to an e-content conference at Coventry and heard what alot of public sector web developers had to say - they don't seem very keen on native apps (which need to be downloaded via app stores or markets). They prefer web apps as they're skeptical that customers will go to the effort of downloading an app just to access each specific local government service - are they going to download a bins app, a library app, a swimming pool app etc. etc.?

In my opinion, our customers see us all as "local government" and want us to be as accessible as possible - given that roughly 30% of hits on local authority websites now come from smartphones and this number will rise, it may make more sense just to ensure we have mobile phone friendly websites in the first place. There's a danger of going into native mobile apps just for the prestige but I personally think there's got to be a really good reason for going to the expense and hassle of developing native apps which then need different versions to support i-phones, HTC's, Blackberry's etc and also will need ongoing development of new versions for each platform as the landscape changes. With a web app, any smartphone can access it without downloading anything and only one version needs to be developed for all platforms (although as with any website, it will require ongoing development).

And finally, on one of my favourite subjects - if we're going to have a native library app, better it be a national library app that gives you access to one unified catalogue of stock available anywhere in the UK and all the wonderful online resources that we make available nationally as part of each citizens right to quality online information... (if we keep talking about it then it might happen!)

Kind regards

Phil Jones

ICT & Information Coordinator
Coventry Libraries and Information Services
Floor 1, West Orchards House
28-34 Corporation Street
Coventry
CV1 1GF

Tel:  024 7683 2329
Fax: 024 7683 2180
Email:[log in to unmask]

Visit us at www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries