Archive for the ‘QR code’ Category

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Barcode scanning in Library Anywhere

We’ve just added a great new feature to Library Anywhere—barcode scanning.

Our new barcode scanning feature is available in both the iPhone (and iPod Touch, iPad, other iOS products) and Android apps for Library Anywhere. It lets you quickly scan the ISBN on a book and see if your Library Anywhere library has a copy.

Search more than one edition
The Library Anywhere book scanner is unique in that it searches not just for the exact ISBN you give it, but for any other editions of that title that might be in the library. So you can scan a paperback book with the “now an HBO show!” cover, and Library Anywhere will find the hardcover edition of the same title, if that’s what the library has.

Extend your search
It also doesn’t limit you to just one library—if no editions of the book are found in the first library you search, it will then give you a prompt to do the exact same search in other Library Anywhere libraries near you, or find the book at an online bookstore.

Scan QR codes
The barcode scanner also can scan QR codes, so libraries using our QR code feature (more about QR codes and Library Anywhere) can scan a code in their OPAC to bring up the record in Library Anywhere.

Available for every library
This isn’t an “optimum package” feature. Libraries don’t pay more to turn it on. We don’t play like that.

About Library Anywhere
Library Anywhere is the mobile catalog and homepage for almost 200 libraries and library systems worldwide. See all the libraries using Library Anywhere by simply clicking the … menu within Library Anywhere and choose “Select a Library.” Read more about Library Anywhere here.

To order Library Anywhere, or get a free trial, call 877 340-2400, or email Peder.Christensen@bowker.com. You can also email questions to Abby@librarything.com.

Labels: barcode scanning, library anywhere, mobile, mobile catalog, mobile web, QR code, scanning

Friday, June 24th, 2011

QR Codes and Library Anywhere

QR code in the catalog:

Jumps to the same record
in Library Anywhere:

We’ve added a QR code feature for Library Anywhere, our mobile product, to tie the mobile site to the regular catalog in a new way.

Libraries can include a QR code that LibraryThing generates and dynamically adds to each catalog page. Scan the QR code with a smartphone scanning app (e.g. RedLaser, Scan) and the phone will jump directly to that record in your mobile catalog on Library Anywhere.

Then walk into the stacks with the record on your phone, or just add it to your saved list on Library Anywhere. However you use it, it’s a direct link from the desktop catalog to the catalog on your phone.

Try it out
We have QR codes up in a few catalogs so far:

Library Anywhere is now the mobile catalog and website for 130 different library systems, including Ocean State Libraries, Libraries Online, and Wake County Public Library. See all the libraries using Library Anywhere by simply clicking the … menu within Library Anywhere and choose “Select a Library”. Read more about Library Anywhere here.

To order Library Anywhere, or get a free trial, call 877 340-2400, or email Peder.Christensen@bowker.com. You can also email questions to Abby@librarything.com.

If you’re in New Orleans for the American Library Association conference, come visit us at booth 827. and we’ll show it to you in person!

Labels: library anywhere, QR code