Developing an open source mobile app in library services: the case of a national university in Malaysia

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.

Quality attributes and performance satisfaction of open source library system: A survey amongst librarians in Pakistan

“…Many libraries and librarians who encountered difficulties or problems while using KOHA benefited from their contributions. Given the findings of this and previous studies (Punchihewa and Kumara 2015;Babu and Thomas 2017;Tella and Oladeji 2017;Chauhan 2018;Ajab Mohideen, Sheikh and Kaur 2022), librarians involved in KOHA implementation should also contribute to KOHA communities. Aside from being an enduser, they must also upgrade to become a member of the development team.…”

Mobile Apps–Based Applications in Libraries and Information Centers: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Future Research Agendas

“…The results of this study show that most (75.93%) of the studies related to mobile applications in libraries measured the use of mobile-based library services and were published as research articles in peer-reviewed international and national journals. The study of Kesselman (2022) & Ajab Mohideen, Sheikh & Kaur (2022) reported the best mobile applications for enhanced library services for faster delivery of information on users' mobile devices through m-tech platforms.…”

“…This MIT inverter-generated app helps libraries to extend their mobile-based services to its users. Ajab Mohideen, Sheikh & Kaur (2022) designed and developed a mobile app for library services using open-source software. This mobile app was developed using the Koha (an open-source library information system) and tested it through user acceptance tests and system acceptance tests by experts who observed that it is properly operational, accessible, and useful for libraries.…”

Material Requirement Planning Information System: Prototype And Lead Time Analysis

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