Technology and mobile application for library

College & Research Libraries News ( C&RL News ) is the official newsmagazine and publication of record of the Association of College & Research Libraries, providing articles on the latest trends and practices affecting academic and research libraries.

C&RL News became an online-only publication beginning with the January 2022 issue.

Lori Barile is learning commons librarian at Salve Regina University, e-mail: lori.barile@salve.edu

Print this article

How to cite item

• Preparing great speeches: A 10-step approach
  (241931 views)
• The American Civil War: A collection of free online primary sources
  (209940 views)
• 2018 top trends in academic libraries: A review of the trends and issues affecting academic libraries in higher education
  (78298 views)

Mobile technologies for libraries: A list of mobile applications and resources for development

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimated that more than 5 billion mobile subscriptions would exist worldwide by the end of 2010, which more than tripled home Internet access. 1 ITU also predicts Web access from mobile devices will exceed access from desktop computers within the next five years. 2

These statistics are hardly surprising; with advancements in technology and the rise in smartphone use, people are taking advantage of being connected to data wherever they are. Mobile phones aren’t just phones anymore: they can access e-mail, search the Web, video chat, and play games. Even mobile devices like iPad and iPod touch can bring social media, productivity tools, and entertainment literally into the palm of your hand.

Therefore, libraries should be exploring mobile devices as a way to connect with patrons. Creating a library application (“app”) or mobile Web site that allows patrons to access library hours, view their library account or even search databases is easier than most people think. The resources below should help libraries begin to plan and implement their own unique mobile presence.

Resources were chosen based on relevancy, accuracy, and content. Due to current economic considerations, free mobile applications were chosen over similar paid applications.

History and development of mobile applications and Web sites

• Libraries to Go: Mobile Tech in Libraries. Comprehensive Slideshare presentation that reviews how libraries can use and develop mobile technologies. Access:http://www.slideshare.net/ellyssa/libraries-to-go-mobile-tech-in-libraries-presentation.
• Library in Your Pocket: Strategies and Techniques for Developing Successful Mobile Services. Mobile site developers from North Carolina State University Libraries share techniques for creating and promoting mobile services. Access:http://www.educause.edu/Resources/LibraryinYourPocketStrategiesa/195003.
• M-Libraries—Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki . Includes listings of libraries that offer mobile Websites (with and without OPACS) and publishers who offer mobile versions of databases. Access:http://libsuccess.org/index.php?title=M-Libraries.
• Spectrum>Mobile Learning, Libraries, and Technologies. This blog documents topics relating to mobile technologies. Posts include information about specific mobile applications as well as their general usage in libraries. Access:http://mobile-libraries.blogspot.com/.

Mobile applications for learning

• Classics—23,469 Books to Go. Large collection of free classic literature packaged in an elegant and intuitive interface. Authors include Aristotle, Charles Dickens, Plato, and Oscar Wilde. By Spreadsong, Inc., Classics works with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Price: Free. Access:http://spreadsong.com.
• Dropbox. Store, sync, and share files online and across computers. Access your Dropbox, download files for offline viewing, and sync photos and videos to your Dropbox from your mobile device. Dropbox works with iPhone, iPad, Android, and BlackBerry. Access:https://www.dropbox.com/anywhere.
• Evernote. Create text, video, and audio memos. All content within Evernote is searchable, including text within snapshots. Notes can be synchronized to Mac, PC, and Web. Evernote works with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, Palm, and Windows Mobile. Price: Free. Access:http://www.evernote.com/about/download/.

Discovering and downloading mobile applications

• AppBrain. Discover Android apps via search, rankings, and categories. Install apps from the Web with the Fast Web Installer app. Access:http://www.appbrain.com/.
• Appolicious. Browse applications for most mobile devices, including Android and iPhone. Read app reviews and find lists of the best apps. Access:http://www.appolicious.com/.
• App Store. Find applications in categories such as games, business, education, productivity, and entertainment. Apps can be downloaded wirelessly to iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Access:http://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/mobile-softwareapplications/.
• App Store HQ. Browse all apps, search by category, read the latest app reviews, and more. The App Store HQ covers Android, iPhone, iPad, and Web apps. Access:http://www.appstorehq.com/.
• Getjar. Browse applications by category or device type. Compatible with most major platforms such as Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and iPhone. Access:http://www.getjar.com.
• Mimvi. This mobile apps search engine discovers iPhone, Android, and Blackberry apps. Type a category in the text box and Mimvi will return a list of related apps. Icons represent each app’s native device. Access:http://www.mimvi.com.

Mobile Web sites

In addition to or in place of mobile applications, some companies and organizations also develop mobile versions of their Web site that are better optimized for viewing on mobile devices.

• Encyclopedia Britannica Mobile. Offers a search box and a list of suggested searches. Results include full-text entries with enlargeable images. Access:http://i.eb.com/.
• MedlinePlus Mobile. Produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus Mobile provides information about specific diseases, conditions, and wellness issues. The site also contains prescription drug information, medical dictionary, and current health news. Access:http://m.medlineplus.gov.
• WorldCat Mobile. Search the WorldCat catalog for books, movies, music, games, and more. Results include items available at local libraries. Access:http://www.worldcat.org/m.

Creating mobile Web sites, OPACs, and applications

• Android Developers. Resources for creating Android applications. Includes developer’s guide, tutorials, and videos. Access:http://developer.android.com
• AirPac (Innovative Interfaces). Offers a mobile version of the Innovative Interfaces (III) library catalog. Includes features such as cover images, integrated library locations with Google Maps software, request and renew items, and more. Contact Innovative Interfaces for pricing. Access:http://www.iii.com/products/airpac.shtml.
• Boopsie. Specializing in public and academic libraries and universities, Boopsie can deliver mobile applications that are compatible with all Web-enabled phones. Contact the site for a price quote. Access:http://www.boopsie2.com/.
• Create an iPhone Optimised Website using JQTouch. Freelance Web Designer and Developer Matthew Leak outlines one way to create an iPhone-friendly version of a Web site. Coding examples are included in this tutorial. Access:http://www.tuttoaster.com/create-an-iphone-optimised-website-using-jqtouch/.
• Library Anywhere. Created and sold through LibraryThing, Library Anywhere is a mobile catalog for any library. Includes mobile Web and apps for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android. Prices range from $150 annually for schools to $1,000 annually for universities (additional fees may apply). Access:http://www.librarything.com/forlibraries.
• MobileTuts+. Tutorials for all mobile developers, regardless of platform. Topics include techniques for building mobile apps and mobile Web sites. Access:http://mobile.tutsplus.com/.
• MobiSiteGalore. Build a mobile Web site in less than 60 minutes. No technical or programming knowledge required. Packages range from basic (cost: free) to unlimited (cost: $24.99 per month). Access:http://www.mobisitegalore.com.
• MoFuse. Build a mobile version of an existing Web site or blog with the MoFuse (short for Mobile Fusion) content management platform. Plans range from $7.95 per month to $199 per month. All accounts come with a 14-day risk-free trial. Access: http://mofuse.com/.
• Mobile Web Best Practices 1.0: Basic Guidelines. Created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), this document specifies guidelines for developing Web-based content for mobile devices. Access:http://www.w3.org/TR/mobile-bp/.
• W3C MobileOK Checker. Validate mobile-optimized Web sites for compatibility with current Web standards. Results include severity, category, and description of the error along with best practices for fixing issues. Access:http://validator.w3.org.

Examples of mobile library Web sites

• Adelphi University Libraries Mobile (AU2GO). Offers library hours, library staff contact information, a link to the library’s blog “biBLIOGraphy,” and more. Access:http://m.adelphi.edu/library/.
• Albertsons Library, Boise State University. Simple text navigation offers various ways to find the library and its contents. An interesting feature is the inclusion of a “Find in Our Building” category, which lists call number locations and popular locations such as study rooms and computers, each linked to an animated floor map. Access:http://library.boisestate.edu/m.
• North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries. Elegant interface with icons representing categories such as room reservations, group finder, and Webcams. Another interesting feature is the ability to view the number of available library computers. Access:http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/m/home/?browse=iphone.
• PENNLibraries, University of Pennsylvania. A multitude of information at your fingertips, such as mobile versions of databases, image search, library video clips, and more. Access:http://www.library.upenn.edu/m/.
• University of California Riverside Libraries. Glossy icons designate many useful categories, including research guides, library workshops, and links to the library’s social media profiles. Access:http://m.library.ucr.edu.
• Virginia Tech University Libraries. A simple but effective layout offers important information, such as library hours, contact information, catalog search, and library maps. Access:http://m.lib.vt.edu/.