Library Anywhere from LibraryThing App

Platforms: iPhone/iPad and Android

RATING:
5 out of 5

PRICE:
FREE

TASTY:
Find and search your local library catalogs of holdings, place holds, review which books you’ve check out, fines, and more.

BUMMER:
Libraries must sign up for the service to add customized information to the service (including hours of operation, links to websites/blogs/social media channels), etc.

COOL:
It’s like having every local library in your area in your pocket! (Almost.) Patrons can rate books, videos, and other content items, and read reviews from others. Book-tastic!

REVIEW:
Library Anywhere is a free app that offers access to local library catalogs via your Android (or iPhone) device. The app makes it super-easy to search local library catalogs of holdings, view records, check and place holds on specific items, see what you’ve checked out, renew items, view fines, and more.

Plus, the app natively guides you to local branches using your phone’s GPS.

All enrolled libraries can also tweak their listings in the service, adding a logo, hours of operation, virtual shelf navigation, special event information, and more. Links to Facebook pages, library webpages, and other online outreach channels (think blogs, “ask a librarian” services, text chat channels, etc.) can be embedded for patron access.

If your local library has installed to LibraryThing for Libraries, you’ll be able to tap into integrated tags, access more than 500,000 reviews, view recommendations related to each item, and notes about other editions.

If you’re a frequent library visitor, be sure to grab this app, and encourage your local branches to get LibraryThing for Libraries up and running on their servers.

It’s a 21st Century upgrade that all cash-strapped libraries should make to stay relevant and accessible in the age of the smart phone.

Read all of my past Android app reviews at Appolicious and Yahoo! Tech -- click here.