Mobilizing the Library's Web Presence and Services: A Student-Library Collaboration to Create the Library's Mobile Site and iPhone Application

The Library Outside the Library group collaborated with the Cornell University Library web site team and student programmers to mobilize the library, creating a mobile version of the library website and an iPhone/iPod touch application that bring library resources to handheld devices. A mobile version of the web site was developed using an open-source tool. Requests from mobile devices are translated according to custom rules and page filters. The iPhone application takes advantage of the iPhone's interface to present catalog searches, patron accounts, library hours, and other information in an intuitive way. Early responses to the mobile initiatives have been positive.