Library? There’s (not) an app for that

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/12/2023 (701 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Avid readers who rely on the Winnipeg Public Library’s phone app will have to find a new way to keep track of their books after the app’s developers shut it down for legal reasons.

The app saved library card barcodes and allowed users to search for and check out books and other material, place holds, renew items, pay late fees, book computers and register for programs at the city’s libraries.

While the app, which is owned by library technology developer SirsiDynix, has worked without any major incident since it launched in 2018, a second party involved with the app has shut down its services by severing the ability to connect to the library’s catalogue server.

“SirsiDynix is the owner of your library’s mobile application. However, another vendor controls the access of the app,” says a statement from chief executive officer Bill Davison.

“Unfortunately, they have unexpectedly disabled the app, rendering it inoperable.”

While some parts of the current app might still work, the administrative console doesn’t function, meaning updates to branch hours, material holds and checkouts and other changes can’t be made.

The library catalogue can be accessed on mobile devices by using a browser. It has fewer services than the app but it can connect users to their account.

A SirsiDynix spokesperson said multiple Canadian libraries have been affected by the change. They declined to name the vendor that sparked the shutdown. SirsiDynix serves 20,000 libraries worldwide.

The Winnipeg library is working to improve the browser version of its catalogue as it waits for a new version of the software from SirsiDynix. The new version, which was in the works before the shutdown, is expected in the new year, admin co-ordinator of virtual services Sophie Firby said.

“(SirsiDynix) are trying their utmost to resolve the legal issue and get back access, if they can… they’re each trying to protect themselves, and we’re caught in the middle,” she said Friday. “I feel a little bit like a kid in an ugly divorce.”

The new app is expected to issue notifications when material is available to be picked up or is overdue.

The library realized the app was broken when it received a wave of complaints this week, Firby said.

The sudden snafu has put “a bit of a fire” under the library’s web team, Firby said and people should begin to see changes to the browser catalogue in the coming weeks.

“Our first step is to get our mobile catalogue ready with our links to programs, links to the forums where you can ask librarians questions, and links to the pages with the branch location information,” she said. “And just make sure the core services are available off of that catalogue page. Then we’ll focus on getting some of our informational pages on winnipeg.ca migrated to mobile as well.”

Improving accessibility has been an issue long before now, Firby said, and she recognized losing some features over the next few months would be difficult for those who primarily use their phone to reach the internet. Large-scale overhauls planned over the next year are in the works.

“We have a solid plan, including lots of public engagement and iterations throughout the majority of 2024, where we’re going to be completely rebuilding our library website with a hopeful launch at the end of 2024,” she said.

“By that point, our entire website will be rewritten and will be written mobile-first, so that all of our services are available on mobile devices, and written with accessibility in mind. We’re just not there yet.”

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca