Okay, that was a pretty stupid pun. In fact it didnt really work. But it is spring, and Ive just returned from Florida, and Ive got palm trees on the brain.
But really, Ive just found ove of the most compelling reasons to buy an Apple product and move to the Humid state: OCLS for iPhone!: VIDEO .
This is Orange County Florida, not California, mind you. OCLS
Now, this may have been around before, in other libraries, but it is the first Ive seen. An iPhone application that is a full integrated library system! From what I can see in the video, the user can check his or her account, renew and order/request items, browse or search the catalog, keep track of library sponsored events and map their locations, and links to view recorded events and programs and tutorials the library has created. Looks pretty inviting.
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I like the idea of this application but I am hesitant only because I fear I won't be able to actually read my account information on the screen!
I have not played around with the iPhone yet and I desperately want one but as for right now, they are still out of my price range. I think it is a great idea to provide patrons with their library account information via phones. After all, this seems to be how most of the younger generation are obtaining their information. And if we want patrons to have not only access to our services but also use them, we have to present them with it in a way that appeal to them.
I believe I've seen this feature in some of the I-phone commercials before....so it is a bummer to know that it isn't a feature available everywhere as of yet. I wonder if this is one of the apps you can put onto your I-phone (if it is available in your area) or if it is one of the many you have to pay for....?
This reminds me of another application for phones.. though it's not only the iphone. Well, I don't even know if it's really an "application," but WorldCat has partnered with something called boopsie, where you can access WorldCat Mobile through your phone. When you conduct your search, you are prompted to put in a zip code and it will locate the nearest library with whatever book/item you are looking for. I tried it with a CD and it just so happened that the nearest location was 1500 miles away in Canada. It would be nice if it would keep the radius to say... 20 miles max? But, the intentions are good. While you can't access account information for any specific local library, I think it is a good substitute for those looking for a book and those who don't yet own an iphone.
http://worldcat.boopsie.com/home/worldcat/
Boopsie...
Looks like Boopsie still has kinks to work out but I think we're going to see more of this.
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