Newsroom

The Iowa City Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of a redesigned mobile version of the Library’s catalog. An optional text display has been available for mobile users from the catalog’s main page, but AirCat now provides an updated interface for the newest mobile devices and smart phones, providing a richer experience for using the catalog.

“It brings more of the experience and functionality people are used to on their computer into the palm of their hands,” said Todd Brown, Iowa City Public Library Electronic Resources Librarian.

Using the link, mcat.icpl.org, with any smart phone provides a direct connection to the mobile version and can be saved as an application so the Library’s catalog is always just a touch away.

Functionality includes:
• searching for Library materials
• seeing an item’s cover and reading a summary
• placing a hold for pickup at the location of your choice
• finding ICPL hours, location and phone numbers

AirCat can be accessed by visiting any of the following sites. It appears as an option in the upper right corner of the Library catalog. Smart phones will be automatically detected and directed to the new interface; those with standard cell phones will still be able to access the text display. Visit:
mcat.icpl.org (for a direct connection to the graphical interface)
www.catalog.icpl.org
alec.icpl.org/aircat

ICPL is responding to the growing demand for services that can be accessed using mobile devices. For several years, the Library has offered AirCat, software that reformatted the catalog into a simple text interface for standard cell phones, and users have also had the option to send an e-mail or text message with call number information directly to the device of their choice. Reformatting is becoming a must-have tool for anyone offering Web services. ICPL is planning a redesigned mobile version of the entire ICPL Web site in the coming months.

For more information, contact:
Barb Black
Technical Services Coordinator
BBLACK@icpl.org
Office: 319-887-6006
Fax: 319-356-5494

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 3:19 pmand is filed under Emerging Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.