Developing an open source mobile app in library services: the case of a national university in Malaysia
ISSN: 2059-5816
Article publication date: 2 December 2021
Issue publication date: 29 June 2022
Abstract
Purpose
A surge of library activities and technological advances have increased the demand for data accuracy and agility among library clientele. Therefore, novel approaches are needed to extend library services. This paper aims to introduce the implementation of a prototype mobile library application (app) designed using an in-house open source system, Koha.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents a case study using a metamorphosis process to create mobile apps. This case study is tested based on the library services with a set of activities during the system acceptance test (SAT) and also user acceptance test (UAT). An application programming interface (API) used to support two-way communication, including system-to-component and system-to-system connectivity. The design, features and advantages of this mobile app are discussed, illustrated and analyzed. The case study reports the mobile app version development from the Koha Open Source Library Information System.
Findings
The app was tested using user acceptance test (UAT) and system acceptance test (SAT) by library staffs who found it functional, accessible, appealing and useful. Features such as Online Public Access Catalog search, library collection scanning, patron accounts, patron personal book collection, circulation, librarian chat, QR codes for borrowing books, social media integration and notifications of library activities and events were successfully tested. This process was useful for the creation of a mobile app based on the existing library System-Koha Open Source System.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to a case study of a national university in Malaysia.
Practical implications
This study has some practical implications for implementing library mobile applications, e.g. it will encourage librarians to implement library applications in libraries.
Originality/value
This study is useful for mobile developers and libraries that plan to offer mobile library services to their patrons. This paper presents a case study of metamorphosis existing process of library open source System-Koha Open Source System.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The principle author would like to pay her gratitude to the technical support team and mobile application development team of Universiti Sains Malaysia Library. Thanks to Mr Arslan Sheikh from Pakistan for his valued contribution in the revisions and publication process of this manuscript. A special Thanks to Dr Kiran Kaur for floating the idea of writing this paper. Thank you Mr Mohd Nasir Md Rashid on industry collaboration for the library open system mobile apps prototype development. Thank you Madam Sukmawati Muhamad, for the in-depth checking of this manuscript.
Citation
Ajab Mohideen, Z., Sheikh, A. and Kaur, K. (2022), "Developing an open source mobile app in library services: the case of a national university in Malaysia", Digital Library Perspectives, Vol. 38 No. 3, pp. 283-300. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-08-2021-0064
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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