Previously available as a website optimized for mobile devices, Worldcat Local is now also available as an iPhone app. I played with it a bit last night and really liked the mapping features. It knew where I was and where the 10 closest libraries to me were. Well, those libraries that participate in Worldcat; it seems Calgary Public Library does not. Easy enough to find copies of the books I was looking for, but though it initially correctly identified my location, from the books results screen it kept insisting I was in Seattle, making the "find a local copy" option useless. How's that feature work for the rest of you?
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2 Responses to “Worldcat Local now an iPhone app”
On log in, the app asks to use my location services. I say yes. It still thinks I’m in Seattle.
When I try to use the “change location” feature to reset my location, it disables the search function.
All the other libraries at my institution (Dalhousie University) are listed in “Find a library” – except ours (the health sciences library). According to our library’s WorldCat expert, we have been entered and have a code.
Lots of bugs. Needs work. But great potential!
Thanks for reviewing the app and playing around with it. Actually the Mobile pilot app is for ALL 1.3 billion items in WorldCat. WorldCat Local functionality is not currently available for mobile devices.
Sorry to hear you were not having success with the “Find a local copy” option. Would you mind sending more details (your postal code, the title you were looking for, device information, etc.) to worldcatmobilepilot@oclc.org, so we can investigate the source of the trouble? In other words, do we need to fix the title metadata, fix the app or do something else?
If other people are having the same issue, please let us know at the feedback address above. As with any pilot/beta app, we appreciate your suggested improvements/fixes to make it better for everyone.