Mick's point about the accuracy of local catalogues is a good one. However
even if the 'on shelf' status needs to be taken with a pinch of salt I don't
see why the UK National Catalogue won't give details of what is on loan.
That facility works *now* with WorldCat (which is the underlying technology
of the UK National Cat) --I've just got live availability (circ) info (even
on my 'mobile' device) from a UK public library. The main obstacle I find is
that so few UK public libraries seem to be part of WorldCat right now. I
guess the UK National Catalogue is a move towards sorting that out.
It is true that such linking to live circulation data can be a bit 'flaky'
at times (in general academic libraries seem to be better on this count--why
is that?) but once again that seems not too big a hurdle to get over and one
I'm sure The Combined Regions and OCLC will figure it out.
I like the other advantages of a large aggregated catalogue. For example in
many cases the 'WorldCat') view gives me much more information than the
local OPAC.....the record I'm looking at now has a table of contents and an
abstract as well a reviews. This info is not in the local OPAC --which
really just gives me a brief bib record, holdings information (the branches)
and whether it's on loan or not.
Ken
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
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Mick Fortune
Sent: 04 October 2011 11:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Native mobile apps versus web apps
Mobile apps are crossing over into RFID world too. Companies like Boopsie
have already been working with US RFID companies on self-issue solutions,
and we have two more examples - from Switzerland and Italy - on the agenda
for this year's RFID conference in London. (Book now to avoid
disappointment) http://www.cilip.org.uk/rfid2011/Pages/default.aspx :-)
A National Catalogue that is only a month out of date sounds like a massive
improvement on what we've had up to now, but there's still some way to go. A
bigger concern might be the discrepancy that may exist between what's in
the local catalogue and the physical collection...
Mick
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Dash Graham
Sent: 04 October 2011 11:03
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Native mobile apps versus web apps
But the UK National Public Library Catalogue is not going to be able to tell
you if the item is on loan or not.
I would have thought that someone using a mobile app is almost certainly
going to want to know if the item is on the shelf and immediately available
- a National Catalogue that is not "live" and could be a month out-of-date
is not going to help them. So individual apps are going to be needed as well
to cater for those users.
Yes, it's a good idea, but my own experiences with WorldCat have not been
very good and I reckon it needs a lot of work done to make it user friendly
to the general public.
Graham
Graham Dash, MCLIP, Library Services Manager (Systems & Development)
Environment & Leisure Group, Leisure & Libraries London Borough of Sutton,
Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SUTTON, Surrey SM1 1EA .
Tel.: 020 8770 4763, Mobile: 07515137830, Fax: 020 8770 4777
Borough web site: www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=907
Library Catalogue web site: www.sutton-libraries.gov.uk
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Ken Chad
Sent: 04 October 2011 10:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Native mobile apps versus web apps
There are already a number of mobile phone apps for library catalogues
around--from specific LMS vendors and others and taking up Phil's last point
.....a UK National Public Library Catalogue is happening
(https://lglibtech.wikispaces.com/National+Catalogue) and OCLC (providers of
the underlying-- 'WorldCat' -infrastructure) already provide mobile device
accessibility -- so maybe this is the way to go? No need to do it for each
library authority?
There is some interesting comment on the usability of the mobile phone
approach on Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox, September 26, 2011:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/mobile-usability.html
In terms of the 'app' vs. mobile web site debate he had this to say:
'While a mobile site is good, a mobile app is even better. We measured a
success rate of 76% when people used mobile apps, which is much higher than
the 64% recorded for mobile-specific websites.'
Ken
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
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Phil Jones
Sent: 03 October 2011 10:59
To: [log in to unmask]
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
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