How it works
Understanding Libraree's approach.
Last updated
Understanding Libraree's approach.
Last updated
Once you've chosen the libraries you belong to, searching follows a three-step process:
Enter something to search for;
Choose a search result that matches what you're looking for;
View the availability information for your libraries.
The Libraree catalogue search allows you to search across multiple library services. A library service includes all the library branches within the local or unitary authority.
For example, I live in Wigan. Wigan has its own library service, but I'm also on the doorstep of Lancashire and Manchester, so I'm a member of their libraries too.
When you first use the Libraree app, you'll be asked to choose your library services. Type in their names and then choose them from the list that appears.
If you use some libraries more than others, you can tap the 
icon and that library service's results will appear first in any search results.
Once you've chosen your libraries, tap the link at the bottom suggesting you search for books.
You can search using any combination of title words, author name or ISBN. Examples include:
the twits
roald dahl
the twits roald dahl
9780573051258
Alternatively, you can press the 
icon to use your phone's camera and search by scanning a book's barcode. This is really handy when you're in a bookshop and trying to make a "borrow or buy" decision!
When searching using a title or author, a range of possible matches will be found. This may include different editions of the same book. Don't think too hard about which to choose - Libraree will automatically try and look for other editions when checking availability at your libraries.
If you search using an ISBN or after having scanned a barcode, you'll only get a single result.
Tap the book that matches what you're looking for and Libraree will begin to check its availability at your libraries.
Once Libraree has finished searching your libraries' catalogues, it will display the results. Libraree will have also attempted to find other editions of the same book to see whether your libraries might also have those versions too.
It will summarise the overall availability at service level - e.g. that Wigan has 2 of 4 copies available for borrowing - but tapping on the library service will show the information at branch level. Branches with availability are shown before those where copies are currently borrowed.
Tapping on a result will take you to the library's catalogue. From there, you could log into your account and make a reservation.
One quirk that does tend to arise is that the same book can appear multiple times at the same library branch.
This may be legitimate if the library genuinely has multiple copies of the same book with different ISBN numbers, however it can sometimes be a red-herring if the library stores multiple ISBN numbers against a single book record in their catalogue. I'll try and eliminate this quirk in due course.