LibAnywhere - App of the Month November 2012

LibAnywhere allows you to access your local Libraries catalogue, make reservations and renew items. It can also tell you what services your library offers.

Where to get it

• Download LibAnywhere from the App Store for your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
• Download LibAnywhere from the Play Store for your Android device
• Developed by: Librarything for libraries
• Platform: iPad, iPod touch, iPhone and Android
• Cost: Free

What's so great about LibAnywhere?

LibAnywhere is ideal for everybody. For bookworms to reserve their next read or renew their current one, for professionals looking to get a reference book or for parents who want to know when the next group reading session is. LibAnywhere combines all subscribed libraries in one simple app. Lib Anywhere will tell you where your nearest library is, what time it opens and what facilities are on site.

User Comments

Matthew Carr from the Digital Accessibility Team said

It's always the way, you stumble across these apps by accident when you are not really looking for them. I wanted to reserve a talking book and logged into my local libraries website as I normally would do and noticed they had an app, LibAnywhere. It is well presented and has all the information I need including what I have on loan, what I have previously had and what I am currently waiting for.

There is also a barcode reader which will allow you to borrow a book you find in the local book shop or supermarket.

Positives

The app allows you to do everything that you would be able to do on the Libraries main website. You simply log in with the barcode on your library card and enter your password or pin number. The app remembers you so you don't have to log in every time.

I like that it will tell me when the library is open, what events are planned and what services are available. You can change your home library too if you are looking for another library in your local authority area.

Everything is in a list detailing how many items you have on loan, how many you have reserved, whether items you have reserved are ready for collection and how many items you have previously borrowed. You can even view previously borrowed items and reserve or borrow them again.

Negatives

Whilst the app does all of these things, I found it difficult to navigate some of the items using VoiceOver on the iPhone. One function allows you to store items in a saved item folder which is indicated by a star on the top menu bar. However, this is not accessible with VoiceOver which means you cannot view the list!

Conclusion

I think the app is great, so often do I see a book and think I must remember that only to forget, or suddenly remember I have to renew a book or simply if I want to know when the library is open. Now I can order and renew my books and contact the library on the go, anywhere I have an internet connection. The biggest downside is that some features are not fully accessible to speech users. Let's hope that is changed in an update soon.

Got a suggestion?

We want to hear from you, our users. Which apps and websites should we be writing about on the TechKnowMore blog? Is there an app you can no longer live without? What website is at the top of your favourites list? Drop us an email on DigitalAccess@rnib.org.uk to let us know, and your favourite service could be featured in the very near future!