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Mobile Catalog Interfaces (ALA Annual 2010)

  • 1.  Mobile Catalog Interfaces (ALA Annual 2010)

    Posted Jun 07, 2010 11:19 AM

    Catalog Form & Function Interest Group


    Mobile Catalog Interfaces
    ALA Annual Program
    Hilton Washington, Columbia 5, Washington, DC
    Saturday 6/26/10  10:30 am-12:00 noon


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    Design Strategies for a Freeform Mobile Catalog: Building From Scratch
    Chad Haefele, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Abstract: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill launched a mobile version of our library catalog in the summer of 2009.  Our local catalog has been III/Millennium for many years, but in summer 2008 we added Endeca as a discovery layer on top of the existing catalog.  Endeca provides new ways to access our catalog data, including XML feeds, which make a homegrown mobile interface possible.  Because the interface is homegrown we have very granular control over how the data is displayed.  This presentation will briefly outline the considerations we took into account when building the interface, the technical means which made it possible, and informal user feedback about the mobile catalog.


    Shrinking the OPAC at Illinois: Opportunities for an Enhanced Mobile Experience
    Josh Bishoff, University of Illinois

    Abstract: The University of Illinois Libraries launched a mobile catalog in April 2010; currently the service includes a homegrown mobile interface to our VuFind OPAC implementation. Our current interface allows patrons to browse the local and CARLI consortium catalogs, to request books for delivery, and to access account information for renewal & checking hold status.  We will examine the process of 'disassembling' a full OPAC display and re-imagining its presentation to a mobile user, and note where we found challenges and opportunities for new services in the mobile use context (such as adding mapping features to the OPAC item display).  We'll address the benefits and drawbacks of developing locally rather than purchasing a vendor solution. We'll also discuss
    preliminary findings from mobile transaction log analysis, which may reveal some differences between traditional & mobile OPAC use patterns.


    A Custom Mobile Catalog: What to do When You Don't Like Your Options
    Laurie M. Bridges, Oregon State University

    Abstract: When Oregon State University Libraries’ MobileLib team couldn’t find a mobile catalog interface that met their patron’s needs, they created one.  The MobileLib team, comprised of two subject librarians and a computer programmer, created a custom mobile catalog interface for III, to incorporate all their desired features.  These features include the ability to search by keyword, title, subject, ISBN, as well as a course reserves search.  The search can be filtered by location, and results can be limited to 1, 5, or 10 results. Results include call numbers and the availability of one-click access to the most pertinent data. The item records include title, author, a description or table of contents, and a link to the shelf-view of the item.  Patrons can also email or text the call-numbers to their mobile phones.  At no time in their search do patrons need to leave the mobile catalog interface to view the record.  The interactive features combined with design specifications appropriate for mobile phones make this library catalog compatible for all types of mobile devices and truly unique.  


    Mobile Discovery: Apps in the Wild
    Andrew Nagy, Serials Solutions

    Abstract: There’s an app for that!  The Millennial generation carries a smart phone in their pocket just like a set of car keys or a wallet.  It’s an essential every day item.  They use them for talking and texting, finding the location of friends and doing homework in between class.  Imagine a college student searching the library’s collections while walking to their next class – it’s happening now.  This talk will demonstrate some live examples from Discovery solutions such as AquaBrowser as well as the Web-scale Discovery solution Summon to see how users can search their library’s collections.  I will also demonstrate some examples of university wide mobile applications that involve the library’s resources.


    We will also be electing a new Vice-Chair/Chair Elect.  If you are interested in running for this position, please send your bio to Richard Guajardo, Chair, CFFIG (guajardo@uh.edu) by Monday, June 21st.