Dear All,
Just thought it worth my adding a few words on the subject.
The whole shift to a need for a mobile presence has developed as quick as the technology has moved forward. Like many of the other suppliers mentioned we have
developed a wonderful front end, ours is called Iguana, which provides the perfect mobile and social web presence libraries are demanding. (
www.kfpl.ca is a good example for those who are interested with a mobile interface)
But to echo a recent comment by Mick Fortune a common stumbling block to providing the type of interface a library would really like to give their customers
is often their own ( Authorities) IT departments and policies. You have to put your library out there where the users are.
Best regards
Ian
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Ian Manson - Sales Manager UK Public Sector - Library Division 2 Westpoint Row, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 4QG. UK office: +44(0) 1454 892222
mobile: +44(0) 7966 111359
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From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Morris Bob (GOF CWSMER)
Sent: 31 January 2013 12:26
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Solus App
I think one of the key issues here is the long running debate between a native app vs a mobile app. A native app is developed specifically for the OS it sits on
and traditionally has been able to access much more of the devices API’s, making it a slicker interface than a mobile app. The downside I can see with this approach is that it needs developing for a multitude of platforms (Android, iOS, Blackberry, Windows
Phone) etc. Any major updates to these operating systems may require the developers to ‘tweak’ their apps so that all functionality is retained. There have been some major corporations in recent times who have failed to keep up with updates to operating systems
resulting in a chunk of users on a particular platform feeling very disgruntled and in some cases unable to use their apps for a significant length of time. I’m not saying this applies to all developers, however it has been know to happen.
A mobile app only needs one source of development as it is effectively a web page formatted for mobile devices. Granted, the coding for these may need tweaks for
optimisation on different platforms, however it is my opinion that development times are quicker. The downside to this approach is that access to the phones API’s (cameras, scanners, GPS) etc have been limited in the past, hence mobile apps tend to only offer
functionality that is offered on the main website it is accessing. However, with advancements in HTML5 coding for mobile platforms this drawback is being addressed and I also believe that W3C ar pushing towards a common standard for mobile web pages.
Our LMS supplier provides a mobile app which costs us nothing to implement as it is part of our standard package. The only drawback at the moment is that we can’t
offer our users the ability to use their phones as library cards or to scan barcodes to see if a copy is located at a nearby library. The question to ask is what added value does this bring to our users vs the cost of implementing?
Regards
Bob Morris
Rheolwr TalNet / TalNet Manager
01286 679462 (2462)
P Ystyriwch yr amgylchedd cyn argraffu
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Think before you print
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Scrogham, Andrew
Sent: 31 January 2013 11:41
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Solus App
I think some really good arguments for the use of mobile apps have been put forward, as well as reservations that exist around their use (not least the cost). However, I honestly believe that the key to this argument is how can we afford
not to offer a mobile app for library users? There’s plenty of research about which suggests that more people will be accessing the internet via mobile devices than desktop, possibly even by this year
http://www.economist.com/news/21566417-2013-internet-will-become-mostly-mobile-medium-who-will-be-winners-and-losers-live-and
It’s another example of us as a service needing to be aware of how the world is developing…if we don’t then we’ll get left behind (again).
Kind regards,
Andrew
Andrew Scrogham
Service Manager: Information and Digital
Newcastle Libraries
Adult and Culture Services Directorate
City Library Tel: 0191 277 4150
Charles Avison Building
Fax : 0191 277 4137
33 New Bridge Street West e-mail
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Please note I am not in the office on Mondays. Please contact Sharon Reeve on 0191 2774150 or email
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-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of liz.rodger
Sent: 31 January 2013 11:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Solus App
We've been discussing the comments in the office - I'm told the advantage is in firstly the way the app displays the website on a smart phone and secondly - suppose you are in a book shop and decide you don't actually want to purchase
the book but would like to borrow it - you scan the barcode and it will tell you which library has the book and give you directions and contact information for that library. So there is more to the app than just allowing you to search a known catalogue for
an item. We have been using the Solus app for some months now.
Liz
Liz Rodger
IT&Support Services Librarian
East Kilbride Central Library
South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Trust
40 The Olympia
Town Centre
East Kilbride
G74 1PG
Tel: 01355 570521
Fax: 01355 229365
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Philip Wark
Sent: 31 January 2013 08:55
Subject: Re: Solus App
I know this may be an heretical question but what added value does an app give?
As far as I can tell it only provides information and tasks already available on the website. I was at a training session last week and wanted to know if the library service had a particular book. I went to the website on my phone and
checked the catalogue. It didn't take that long - an app may save half a minute in searching time. It is worth the money???
Best wishes
Philip Wark
Library Services Manager
Midlothian Council - Education and Children's Services
Library HQ
2 Clerk Street
Loanhead
Midlothian EH20 9DR
tel: 0131 271 3971
fax: 0131 440 4635
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Iona Preston
Sent: 30 January 2013 17:44
Subject: Solus App
We are investigating getting the Solus library app - would anyone who already uses this be able to share their experience with me? I'm interested in how it's best used, user experience etc.
Thanks very much
Iona
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