Boopsie Introduces BookCheck: Users Can Checkout Materials With A Mobile Device

Here’s news of another traditional library task (a must to borrow materials) that users can do on their own with a mobile device.

From a Boopsie Announcement:

Boopsie, the leading mobile solution for universities and libraries worldwide, announced today the availability of BookCheck – a new feature that allows library patrons to check out books and other materials using a mobile phone. Cuyahoga County Public Library [CCPL] is the first to offer Boopsie BookCheck to its more than 787,000 active registered cardholders.

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The new feature allows library patrons to retrieve basic catalog information (real-time access from the library’s ILS system) and content from third-party sources such as book reviews, plot summaries and author bios from anywhere in the library using their mobile phone. Library cardholders can then check out the book with one click of a button. BookCheck is immediately available for Android device users. Support for iPhone and select Blackberry devices will follow shortly.

See Also: “Cuyahoga County Public Library to offer new app that’s one for the books” (via Cleveland Public Library)

No more standing in line for the busy college student or the testy businessman. Just download the free app from the app store on your electronic device and then scan your selection by taking a picture of the barcode on the item. Then you’re free to leave the library.

App users will not have to worry about security sensors going off as they exit the library. [Robert J.] Rua, [assistant marketing director at CCPL] said that the security gates in the libraries are no longer in use.

“The library did a cost-benefit analysis of maintaining and repairing its security gates and found that the expense did not outweigh the benefit,” Rua said. “We do, however, continually explore new technologies and security solutions.”

See Also: Cuyahoga County Also Offers a Mobile App From Boopsie (Where Users Access BookCheck)
The mobile is app is available for BlackBerry, J2ME, Palm OS, Symbian S60, Windows Mobile, iPhone, iTouch and iPad devices.

Hat Tip and Thanks: @Blank_TextField

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