Hold the library in your hand: the Mendik Mobile smartphone app

This workshop will trace the development, implementation and usage of the Mendik Mobile smartphone app. 

Students now enter law school with a multitude of devices to help them study, communicate research, and socialize. For several years, the Mendik Library has surveyed incoming 1Ls on their technology and social media usage. In 2011, 70% of those answering the survey said they used some sort of handheld device or smartphone. This finding led us to begin work on a smartphone app of our own. Using Boopsie, Inc.'s mobile app template, we developed a smartphone app that works on all platforms, and allows students to do the following:

• Search our catalog for books and other library resources.

• Find the books professors have placed on course reserve, and check on their availability.

• Login to a patron account's to renew books they’ve borrowed, or to check on fines.

• Contact the Library by phone, text or email.

• Follow our blogs to learn about new books we’ve acquired and new services we’re offering.

• Use our DRAGNET feature to search free and reliable legal sources on the Internet.

At the time the app was developed, we were the only law school library with a standalone smartphone app. Mendik Mobile went on to win an AALL Excellence in Marketing Award.