WorldCat Local Mobile Now in Production

A production version of mobile-optimized WorldCat Local is now available to libraries following beta testing, research and development on the service that makes it possible for mobile users to discover items, see location, shelf status, call numbers, and more in their local library, and in libraries worldwide.

New mobile-optimized WorldCat Local sites include many additional features not available in the beta version, most notably support for a wide range of devices. Any smart phone or feature phone capable of running JavaScript or a Java-based Web browser such as Opera Mini or Bolt will be supported worldwide.

"We focused on mobile Web browser support as opposed to device-specific applications because it supports the broadest audience possible worldwide. It is also simplest from the user perspective," said Jeff Penka, OCLC End-User Services Portfolio Director. "Most importantly, we were able to build the production mobile site on the new architecture that takes advantage of the latest commercial Web technologies and supports OCLC’s platform strategy moving forward."

Libraries that maintain a full WorldCat Local subscription have the option to customize their mobile presence. In addition, the production version includes more item information than before, with easier navigation to previous and next items within a results set. Users can see location, shelf status, call number, levels of availability and can place a hold, request the item or email citations for any content that does not require authentication.

The move into production creates the possibility of a mobile presence for more than 20,000 libraries. Any library with WorldCat Local or visibility on WorldCat.org can claim their unique URL and use it to support their mobile users.