iPhone users can now download the free pic2shop application to scan book barcodes and find local libraries who have them through WorldCat.

The pic2shop app is one of the original mobile apps designed for consumers that like to comparison shop. A user scans a book barcode with their iPhone, and can compare costs to get the book at various retailers or now at a local library. The app uses the WorldCat Search API and WorldCat Registry APIs to deliver results for libraries nearby who hold the item in WorldCat, the world’s largest library catalogue. Location and mapping information is also available.

Developed by Vision Smarts, a technology company based in Belgium, pic2shop was the first iPhone app that could read UPCs and EANs. It broadens the availability for book barcode-scanning functionality, as it offers a free download and works on all available iPhones—even first generation models. In addition, pic2shop works in all countries, although not all users may have nearby libraries with up-to-date holdings in WorldCat. Vision Smarts is also developing pic2shop apps for additional platforms beyond the iPhone.

The pic2shop iPhone app is one of several mobile applications designed for users to access library information from WorldCat. In addition to apps such as RedLaser for iPhone and Compare Everywhere for Android, the WorldCat Mobile pilot app is available for download on all Web-enabled phones in the UK, U.S., Netherlands, Germany, France and Canada at www.worldcat.org/mobile.

WorldCat-related APIs are available to anyone interested in creating noncommercial mash-ups or mobile apps that include library data. Commercial apps like to pic2shop use the WorldCat Search API through partnership agreements.

iPhone users can download the pic2shop app at no cost through Apple’s iTunes app store.

A video that shows how a consumer would use the pic2shop application to see local library listings, powered by WorldCat data, is available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHiuaDXipWQ.

WorldCat Local and WorldCat Local “quick start” enhancements: Redirect and new direct linking option supports additional ILS systems

The latest enhancements for WorldCat Local and WorldCat Local “quick start” include an option to redirect automatically from WorldCat.org. For WorldCat Local “quick start,” there is a new direct linking capability to deep link in the library’s local OPAC. These enhancements to WorldCat Local and WorldCat Local “quick start” help users more quickly connect to resources in local library collections and the collections of libraries worldwide.

Easy access to WorldCat Local from WorldCat.org

WorldCat.org now redirects visitors to their local WorldCat Local or WorldCat Local “quick start” site when their IP address is recognized. Library staff can quickly enable this redirect option through the Service Configuration module.

More “get it” options

For WorldCat Local “quick start”:
Direct access to availability information in library OPACs

Now if users find a record in WorldCat Local “quick start,” they can link directly to corresponding records in library catalogs for availability information. This new feature increases access to materials for any library with an ILS that does not currently interoperate with WorldCat Local. The new links display in the “Find a copy in the library” section of the detailed record display.

Once a library has configured links to its catalog in the WorldCat Registry, the link to the catalog will display when users view records with WorldCat holdings for their library.

More fulfillment options

WorldCat Local “quick start” libraries may now set up a different fulfillment option at each of two levels of relevancy in search results.

Library staff may select from among the following choices to configure a single fulfillment option at each level of relevance:

o    Placehold request. This enables users to place a hold in their library’s catalog.

o    OpenURL resolver.  Staff may configure up to two OpenURL resolvers and specify at which level they display.

o    Link to WorldCat Resource Sharing.

o    Link to any other URL, such as the landing page for a locally-used resource sharing service.

For WorldCat Local:
More fulfillment options

WorldCat Local libraries may now set up a different fulfillment option at each of the four levels of relevance in search results. This gives you the option to present users with “get it” options that are most appropriate for each level of relevance: results for the local library are listed first. Next are results for second and third choices, usually group or consortial catalogs. Finally, results display resources available from libraries worldwide whose collections are represented in WorldCat.

Library staff may select from among the following choices to configure a single fulfillment option at each level of relevance:

o    Placehold request. This enables users to place a hold in their library’s catalog.

o    OpenURL resolver. Staff may configure up to two OpenURL resolvers and specify at which level they display.

o    Link to WorldCat Resource Sharing.

o    Link to any other URL, such as the landing page for a locally used resource sharing service.

Configuration of fulfillment options, including customizable text that displays to users, is managed in your library’s profile within the Service Configuration module.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WORLDCAT LOCAL AND WORLDCAT LOCAL “QUICK START”

Register for a webinar:

WorldCat Local “quick start” webinar registration

WorldCat Local webinar registration