Friday, May 10, 2013

BookMyne App Review


App: BookMyne
Cost: free
Key features: Access your library account, renew items, search catalog, request/place holds on items. Available in English, French, German, and Spanish languages. 
More info: http://www.sirsidynix.com/bookmyne

Last year, the El Paso Public Library System upgraded the software that handles our inventory, checking in/out materials, catalog, etc. With that upgrade came this handy app, BookMyne. Like any other app, it has its pros and cons, but has proven quite useful when you need to renew or request items on the go. Best of all, you'll only have to enter your library card and pin number once.

Pros: Search the catalog, renew (even if overdue) and request items. Under settings, you can change the number of days you want to be notified before your books are due. Suggested reading lists include award winners, popular best sellers (NY Times) and the ability to log into your Goodreads account (social).

Cons: Only available for Apple and Android. Some screens aren't very intuitive. I kept forgetting to use the arrow button at the top. Barcode scan search didn't work for me. I tried scanning the barcode of a book and nothing happened. The barcode scanning bug has been fixed & it now works! Just hit the search button after scanning.

Introductory and library info screenshots. 

View your account and see what items are checked out and when they're due. Renew them all or check only the ones that you want renewed by tapping the arrow at the top.

Search the catalog by keyword, title, subject or barcode. Tap the "availability" area to see which branches own a copy and if it's available (checked in).

Request items (place holds) by checking an item in the results list or tapping a title, and then tapping the arrow at the top. You'll be able to place a hold, email the item info to yourself or save to a list. When placing a hold you can change the location you want the item sent to.

View award lists and New York Times best selling lists under the Suggested Reading tab. You can also log into your Goodreads account. The Spin button will randomly choose a list for you. My Bookshelf will show the ebooks you currently have checked out through Overdrive