Mobile devices have now become ubiquitous, and their owners are looking for easy ways to access information they need, when they need it. The growth rate for mobile applications use is currently 119% per year, while browser use is growing more slowly at 13% annually. 60% of library patrons use mobile apps these days to access information via their devices. Mobile device users spend over two hours a day using apps versus 30 minutes per day using a website. Many libraries have jumped onto the ease-of-access and mobile bandwagon with the rest of the world with various mobile library app products.

Many new mobile apps and services have come out over the past few years to help patrons access even more of their libraries’ resources, from anywhere they have a signal. Getting familiar with some of them can help a library expand and enhance the connections with its community. Here are some of the most popular library apps in use today:

• Boopsie is a service that can deliver mobile applications for libraries that are compatible with all Web-enabled phones, helping public, corporate, government and academic libraries make collections accessible to the mobile world. Boopsie offers a variety of services, including: providing mobile access to the catalog, ask-a-librarian service, online databases, ILS, and library events. It is also programmed for the Windows world.
• BrowZine is another product available which allows the library to put part of their collection out to patrons to be able to access via mobile device. And, depending upon how their network and firewalls are structured, the patron can do this offsite. Academic libraries, government institutions, and hospitals have been using this application to better bring content to the user.
• Library Anywhere is a mobile application created and sold through LibraryThing, Library Anywhere can be a mobile catalog for almost any library OPAC. It includes mobile and web apps for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android.
• OCLC’s WorldCat Mobile connects to the collections of over 10,000 libraries. You can locate nearby libraries that own a specific item you want, link to library Web catalog for more item information, view library information on location/phone#/e-mail, and call the library directly to confirm availability.
• AirPAC (Innovative Interfaces) offers a mobile version of the Innovative Interfaces (III) library catalog. It includes features such as cover images, integrated library locations with Google Maps software, request and renew items, and more.

Some libraries have even developed their own mobile library apps to help interact with their patrons:

• Adelphi University Libraries Mobile (AU2GO) offers library hours, library staff contact information, a link to the library’s catalog, collaboration studio reservations, guides and tutorials, & floor maps.
• North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries have an elegant interface with icons representing categories such as room reservations, group finder, and Webcams. An interesting feature is the ability to view the number of available library computers.
• PENNLibraries, University of Pennsylvania has a multitude of information at mobile device fingertips, including mobile versions of databases, image search, library video clips, and more.
• University of California Riverside Libraries’ mobile app designates many useful categories with glossy icons, including research guides, library workshops, and links to the library’s social media profiles.
• Virginia Tech University Libraries. Simple but effective layouts offer important information, such as library hours, contact information, catalog search, and library maps.

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