Tim Fletcher's lightning talk on using BookMyne to deliver a mobile library catalogue at Birkbeck.

1. Introducing BookMyne at
Birkbeck
Tim Fletcher
Library Technology Innovation Manager
Birkbeck, University of London

2. Background
Birkbeck
Founded 1823 – Mechanics’ Institution
Largely part-time and evening study
20,000 plus students – largely mature and working
High research ratings
Library
Just over 300,000 items
Open 08:30-23:45 each day term-time
Staffed 10:00-22:30
Increasing usage both in visits and lending

3. Mobile web survey Jan-Feb 2012
Conducted by Student Services on behalf of various
interested departments, including us
Library scored very highly
Ability renew items 90.2%
Access to catalogue 86.3%
Access to e-resources also featured in comments.
Comments also showed lack of awareness of existing
services

4. Existing mobile access
On Horizon Information Portal (HIP) and
AquaBrowser there is no specific mobile version
You can use the text-only / accessibility versions
We also don’t have a mobile version of our web site,
but that’s another issue

5. BookMyne
App produced by SirsiDynix for Horizon & Symphony
On Horizon it uses web services running on Horizon
Information Portal server
Very easy to install and get running
IoS and Android versions
These work differently
Fairly unexciting appearance and functionality
But it is free!

6. Low key approach
Launched with little fanfare in – a few strategically
placed bits on the web site and on the catalogues
Looked at what other libraries had done
We didn’t want to raise expectations – especially as
we had very little control over it
We asked for feedback
Very little so far

7. Success?
Some take up – we can check logs and visits to the
web pages
Can see that people have used it and renewed items
A few complaints – largely due to how you get it to
find us
It works via a central listing held by SirsiDynix
One big bug discovered which blocks access
Reported to SirsiDynix

8. Next steps
Get bug(s) fixed
Blocking bug resolved by software update
Trying to get some extra customisation
At least of display of item record
Publicise it more
Impact of the Olympics on remote access makes this
sort of thing even more important

9. Thank you
t.fletcher@bbk.ac.uk
@tim_fletcher
@BirkbeckLibrary
www.bbk.ac.uk/lib
www.sirsidynix.com/bookmyne