"WorldCat Local Mobile Now in Production" & News About WorldCat.org App
UPDATE: Screenshots: Production Version WorldCat Local Mobile
A production version of mobile-optimized WorldCat Local is now available to libraries following beta testing of the service that makes it possible for mobile users to discover items, see location, shelf status, call numbers, and more in their local library, and in libraries worldwide.
New mobile-optimized WorldCat Local sites include many additional features not available in the beta version, most notably support for a wide range of devices. Any smart phone or feature phone capable of running JavaScript or a Java-based Web browser such as Opera Mini or Bolt will be supported worldwide.
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Libraries that maintain a full WorldCat Local subscription have the option to customize their mobile presence. In addition, the production version includes more item information than before, with easier navigation to previous and next items within a results set. Users can see location, shelf status, call number, levels of availability and can place a hold, request the item or email citations for any content that does not require authentication.
The move into production creates the possibility of a mobile presence for more than 20,000 libraries. Any library with WorldCat Local or visibility on WorldCat.org can claim their unique URL and use it to support their mobile users.
The new mobile-optimized WorldCat Local views are the result of more than two years of research, learning and usability testing. “We’re pleased with how well the production site supports the mobile user experience,” says Bob Robertson-Boyd, OCLC Product Manager.
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Mobile-optimized views of WorldCat.org will remain in beta at http://www.worldcat.org/m. OCLC worked with partner Boopsie.com on the original WorldCat Mobile pilot app, which helped to inform progress in development. The app will no longer be available as of June 30, 2011. Any user who has downloaded the pilot app will be prompted to visit www.worldcat.org/m.
Filed under: Libraries, News, Patrons and Users
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com. Gary is also the co-founder of infoDJ an innovation research consultancy supporting corporate product and business model teams with just-in-time fact and insight finding.
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