The document describes the development and implementation of a library app called Findit@NUIM Library at NUI Maynooth. It was a 6-month project involving a student placement from the Computer Science department. The app helps students find library items and locations. It was designed to be very visual and focused in purpose. The app launched in September 2013 and has been well-received by students, with positive feedback and download statistics. The project provided a mutually beneficial experience for both the library and computer science departments.

1. Findit@NUIM Library
Case study of the development
and implementation of a library
app
Mary Antonesa ( Project Chair)
Senior Librarian for Learning and Research
Information Services
NUI Maynooth

2. Content
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Overview of the project
What we did
How we did it
Impact of app
Lessons learned
Final thoughts

3. Overview
• New Library Building
• Needed further “directional” support
• 6 month Computer Science student work
placement
• Mobile application to help students find items
and locations
• Decided on an app for apple and android

7. What we did
• Designed a “find it” app to navigate students
to items and locations
• Very visual and focused in purpose
• Delivered in a 6 month timeframe
• Mutually beneficial to the Library and
Computer Science
• Designed something special

8. How we did it
• Library provided very clear ongoing guidance for
what we wanted weekly
• Small group with a Chair
• Computer Science provided technical know how
weekly
• Weekly meetings and reports
• Drafted an app over and over
• Show cased it at Teaching and Learning Showcase
in June
• Launched it at Orientation September 2013

9. Technically...
• Uses phonegap – open source framework
• This allows cross platform applications to be
designed with web technologies
• App content is in Drupal which was our CMS
• Library can update it beyond life of project

24. Impact of App
• This is an innovative development unique to
NUIM
• Improved user experience
• Particularly helpful to first years
• Available in App Store and Play store
• Free
• Download statistics

25. Lessons Learned
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Students love it
Social Media comments about it
Very useful
Required full 6 months
Plenty of input on all fronts
Computer Science technically maintaining it
No need for us to update content... Yet.

26. Final thoughts
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Could we build a Findit@ NUIM App
Would consider other apps
Student placement very useful
Build relationships with university colleagues
Positive experience