BookMinder Android App Prototype

This application was the work of Merrilee Proffit and Bruce Washburn at OCLC Research. It is a prototype Android app that uses the WorldCat Search API to get citations and nearby libraries for books. This grew out of a desire to have a personalized list of things one may want to read, someday, readily available on a mobile device. It offered an opportunity to make use of the mobile app’s easy integration with the camera to add things to a list by scanning a barcode, and to search for a title either by a keyword search or using the device’s support for voice recognition. The mobile device’s GPS tells the app where the user is and the app uses that information and the Search API to find nearby libraries. Other benefits from running this app in the Android environment include prompts for word input to cut down on keystrokes, the built-in SQWLite database available to any application, and a strong and growing community of developers willing and able to share code and solutions.

Install the BookMinder app on your Android device

Start by scanning this QR code with your Android device's barcode scanner. It should take you to the URL for the Android app APK file, for downloading. Once the APK file has downloaded you’ll be asked if you want to install the app, and be told a few things it wants to do. You may also be prompted to allow apps from locations other than the Android Market to be installed (you’ll need to enable that, for this app). When prompted, select Install. Once installation is completed you’ll be prompted to open the app. Press menu once the app starts to see other options.

BookMinder QR code