Comments on: Serendipity http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/2008/08/27/serendipity/ Resources for librarians who are interested in the application of web design and technologies in libraries Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:33:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Bruce http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/2008/08/27/serendipity/comment-page-1/#comment-63230 Bruce Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:40:44 +0000 http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/?p=793#comment-63230 As part of testing the WorldCat API I put together an iPhone interface to WorldCat. If you go to apple.com and search for worldcat you should see a link to the web app. Just passing this along in case it's of interest while considering other library catalog iPhone/iTouch apps, and I'd be happy to hear any reactions. As part of testing the WorldCat API I put together an iPhone interface to WorldCat. If you go to apple.com and search for worldcat you should see a link to the web app. Just passing this along in case it’s of interest while considering other library catalog iPhone/iTouch apps, and I’d be happy to hear any reactions.

]]> By: Karl Bridges http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/2008/08/27/serendipity/comment-page-1/#comment-63226 Karl Bridges Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:00:37 +0000 http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/?p=793#comment-63226 I'm an academic librarian here at the University of Vermont. I'd be very interested in seeing that library catalog application and any details/source code you would be willing to share on this. I am using an itouch here (and many of our students have iphones) so this seems to be an emerging area we could be involved in. I’m an academic librarian here at the University of Vermont. I’d be very interested in seeing that library catalog application and any details/source code you would be willing to share on this. I am using an itouch here (and many of our students have iphones) so this seems to be an emerging area we could be involved in.

]]> By: Nic Johnson http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/2008/08/27/serendipity/comment-page-1/#comment-63064 Nic Johnson Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:02:16 +0000 http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/?p=793#comment-63064 At BYU we've actually created a prototype app that queries our catalog via SMS. We've implemented catalog search, current balance owing, reservations, and renewals. We're (unfortunately) on the Unicorn platform. Let me know if you want more details. Nic At BYU we’ve actually created a prototype app that queries our catalog via SMS. We’ve implemented catalog search, current balance owing, reservations, and renewals. We’re (unfortunately) on the Unicorn platform. Let me know if you want more details.

Nic

]]> By: Daniel Harris http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/2008/08/27/serendipity/comment-page-1/#comment-63044 Daniel Harris Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:15:11 +0000 http://www.librarywebchic.net/wordpress/?p=793#comment-63044 I think a solution lies it in your first couple of sentences. Perhaps the digital/mobile library experience is about serendipity in it's very essence. Imagine your library history, and your current work interests follow you around the library - and as well as suggesting titles that you may find useful, it could suggest people who have read the books, that are in the library at the same time, or people that are working on the same problems as you. What offline libraries have over digital libraries or Amazon is the ability to collaborate, to share, to discuss - libraries are social spaces that need to breakaway from the traditionally inaccessible, lofty "SHH!" culture that they traditionally embody, and embrace their enviable position of facilitating the connection of people to knowledge - whether through books, multimedia... or the most valuable resource of all - people I think a solution lies it in your first couple of sentences.

Perhaps the digital/mobile library experience is about serendipity in it’s very essence.

Imagine your library history, and your current work interests follow you around the library - and as well as suggesting titles that you may find useful, it could suggest people who have read the books, that are in the library at the same time, or people that are working on the same problems as you.

What offline libraries have over digital libraries or Amazon is the ability to collaborate, to share, to discuss - libraries are social spaces that need to breakaway from the traditionally inaccessible, lofty “SHH!” culture that they traditionally embody, and embrace their enviable position of facilitating the connection of people to knowledge - whether through books, multimedia… or the most valuable resource of all - people

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