The National Library Board of Singapore has taken the innovative and laudable step of launching a brand new library app that is designed to make it easier than ever for patrons to engage with libraries around the country with greater ease than ever before.
This library app essentially takes every aspect of the library engagement process and makes it available on your smartphone. Users can browse book collections and download e-books, view schedules of library events and pay fines. What's more, travel enthusiasts will be happy to hear about the included one-year subscription to as many as 30 Lonely Planet travel guides, as well as three months of unlimited downloads of select books.
The National Library Board's decision to launch a library app is reflective of the growing acceptance of the importance of smartphone interfaces to getting people to read more.
All-Inclusive Library Apps
This App Lets Library Members Pay Fines and Download E-Books
Trend Themes
1. Smartphone Library Apps - The trend of developing library apps for smartphones presents an opportunity for libraries to engage with patrons and make library services more accessible.
2. E-book Downloads - The increasing availability of e-books through library apps opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the publishing industry and reading habits.
3. Integrated Library Services - Library apps that offer a comprehensive range of services, such as browsing book collections, event schedules, and fine payments, create a disruption by centralizing all library processes in one app.
Industry Implications
1. Library - The library industry can leverage the trend of smartphone library apps to modernize their services and attract more patrons.
2. Publishing - The availability of e-book downloads through library apps presents an opportunity for the publishing industry to reach a wider audience and explore innovative digital distribution models.
3. Software Development - Developing integrated library apps requires expertise in software development, offering a growth opportunity for the software development industry.