You can also get view the web site on a regular web browser. No downloads are required and it should work on most phones with mobile browsers.
Several Services are Available:
+ Search the Catalogue
At this point all we see is a search box. Since the site is new perhaps they plan to add a bit of info (what's in and not in the catalogue; search tips, etc) in the future. Once useful feature is the ability to email records back to yourself or to others.
+ Course Reserves
+ Ask Us
Numerous ways to reach a librarian including: by phone (just click and the number will automatically dial); email (again, if you're email client is set-up (vs using Gmail or Yahoo Mail on the web) you can send the email without leaving the web page; in person (reference desk hours are provided); and a suggestion box to share ideas.
+ Library Hours
Each library is identified by name, address, and a photo.
+ Library Finder
Again, each library is identified by name, address, and a photo. However, instead of providing hours, select a library from the list and in a few seconds it's location is mapped (of course, this assumes you have a phone capable of doing this). After accessing the map (we used an iPhone) we had to close the map window, go back to the main screen, and reopen the browser. Of course, how all this works depends on the phone or mobile device.
+ News
Library news.
+ Twitter
Click the Twitter icon and a direct link to the McGill Libraries Twitter feed appears (via the web version of Twitter) Of course, once you're done reading McGill Library tweets you could click home, assuming your logged in and begin tweeting. In recent memory, we can't think of any other mobile library site(s) that links directly to Twitter. We're sure they're out there and would love to learn of others that link directly to Twitter, Facebook, or other social media. We would think a link to Facebook might also be under consideration.
+ Finally, you'll see an icon that when selected takes the user to the "full" McGill Libraries web site. With a bit of extra work navigating, making pages larger and smaller, and other things you often have to do when running a non-mobile site on a mobile browser, we were able to move easily to several useful portions of the site. However, we were unable to use any of the search functionality.
Overall, we didn't see a link to search the mobile-friendly sites of serial providers and aggregators. We would think an important feature like this would be coming in the next version of the site.
In terms of overall look, we loved it! The colors selection looked great in the Safari mobile browser and adding images for each library building (see above) is a nice touch. The icons on the homepage are also nicely done.
In our view, McGill University Libraries are of to a superb start with their mobile site.
The FreePint Family is a family of resources to help information workers be more effective, raise the value of information in their organisations and contribute to success.
'FreePint... provides most of my professional development because it won't come through work and [other resources] just don't cut it.'
FUMSI Forum: Do you have a research question? Post it to the FUMSI Forum, where professionals share Q&A and useful tips on how to Find, Use, Manage and Share Information. It's free.
FreePint Shop:
VIP LiveWire:
