A library in the palm of your hand

Abstract

PurposeIn response to the changing world of information access, librarians at the New York Law School's Mendik Library became interested in providing a full‐service mobile phone application so that users could search the catalog, access the reserves module, renew books and find information such as library hours. The purpose of this paper is to show how the library went from this concept to an award‐winning product.Design/methodology/approachThe paper shows step by step how the librarians listened to experts in the field, searched the mobile stores to find other libraries that have done this, chosen a vendor, and rolled out the service with a multimedia information campaign.FindingsUsing a team approach, it is possible to develop a mobile application that is useful and still being accessed a year after its first launch.Research limitations/implicationsMore needs to be done to see the precise state of mobile access in the world's libraries.Originality/valueThe approach documented in the paper will serve as a template for libraries planning to add mobile access, but are unsure of how to proceed.