1. Your library: There’s an app for that!
Leigh Ann Jones, Ph.D.
Parish Episcopal School
Johnathan Wilson, MSIS
Texas Woman’s University
#txla14
#libapp
4:00-4:05
Introductions

2. What is a mobile library app?
[File:Available on the App Store (black).png|]

3. How can a mobile library app help your patrons?
24/7 convenience
Library resources in one spot
Access to librarian
How can a mobile library app help your patrons?

4. How can a mobile library app help your
Attracts new library users
Great marketing tool
Expands online presence
How can a mobile library app help your
library?

5. Parish Episcopal School
1100 students, PK to Gr. 12
2 campuses
3 libraries
Accredited by NAIS
College preparatory
Dallas, TX

6. What does the Parish mobile library app offer?
4:20-4:25

8. Blagg-Huey Library, Texas Woman’s University
15,000+ students
3 campuses, Denton-Dallas-Houston
SACS Accredited
Source: Camilla TWU-Flickr; no changes made

9. TWU app—what does it offer?

11. TWU planning slide Research based Services requested
Inclusion of several search features
Contact with the library is a priority
Services requested
Room reservation
Hours for all campuses
Map to item location

12. Pre-app planning Parish = 300,000 sq. ft. + 4 floors
Library in the corner of the 1st floor
How could the library reach more students/faculty?
Turned to academic libraries for ideas
4:20-4:25

13. Get an app for your library!
Paid Service
Open Source
Less technical knowledge needed
Requires a basic understanding of web programming
Comes hosted with troubleshooting support
Collaboration between library and technology services
May not support all library services
Can be customized to include everything
Time between updates may be extensive
Updating can be done live in real time
Costs may increase or require an annual fee
Contributes to a shared knowledge base which is free to other users

14. Get an app for your library!
Skills needed
Moderate understanding of HTML/CSS
Backbone of any webpage
Basic understanding of JavaScript
Functionality and “tricks”
Basic ability to use graphic software
Design and appeal

15. But what if…
What if…
You don’t have technical expertise.
You don’t have staff who can help.
You don’t have a large budget.
But you still want to meet the needs of your patrons…

16. Ideas for a low cost/low tech app
Our handout posted on the conference site provides low cost options/ideas.
Reach out to your area public library.
Partner with a nearby academic library.

17. Next steps & future planning
Humanities makerspace
Flexible space
Modular casual seating
Tables/chairs on casters
Remove most desktop computers
Move some books to create wall space
Charging bar
App = easy mobile access

18. Next steps & future planning
Mobile Kiosk
Multi-floor library
Point of need
Custom CSS sheet
Purchased with grant
Three throughout the building

19. What do our patrons say?

20. Your turn…Twitter backchannel
#txla14
#libapp

21. If you think of questions later…
Contact us: Leigh Ann Jones Johnathan Wilson
If you think of questions later…