Going Mobile

Book excerpt: Patrons increasingly expect access to their libraries anywhere, anytime. This Special Report provides practical guidance in how librarians can put the library in the palms of their patrons' hands. Using the HTML skills that many librarians already have along with flexible development tools, technology expert La Counte shows how creating a customized mobile app doesn't need to be expensive or require deep expertise. In straightforward, practical terms he Demonstrates how to establish a presence on the mobile web with mobile websites and phone apps Details open-source development tools such as PhoneGap that allow for the creation of mobile apps that work on a variety of mobile operating systems, with emphasis on the iPhone Discusses methods for assessing a library's user base and getting buy-in from administrators Following the pointers in this Special Report, libraries can easily go wherever their patrons do!