Apps for That

Search Axis with Boopsie

Boopsie, a mobile platform-as-a-service provider for more than 4,000 libraries worldwide, has joined forces with digital content, print book, and entertainment product distributor Baker & Taylor to simplify searching for and finding a library’s e-content.

The Boopsie mobile app is now integrated with Baker & Taylor’s Axis 360 digital media library. Patrons can use Boopsie’s mobile platform to access all of their library’s resources, including Baker & Taylor content via Axis 360. The Boopsie app launches an in-app browser that allows patrons to access the Axis 360 content. The app provides access to the Axis 360 menu, shows e-content items that are available for loan, and allows patrons to immediately proceed to checkout upon completion of their search.

Boopsie’s mobile app is fully hosted and maintained by Boopsie’s US-based customer service organization and is designed for Android, iOS, Windows Phone 8, Windows Mobile, Windows 8, and Kindle Fire platforms. It is compatible with Axis 360’s iOS and Android apps, as well as their mobile responsive website. The app is available for download at major app stores. Patrons of libraries supporting the Axis 360 system can simply search for their library in a major app store and download the library-branded app.

For more information, visit boopsie.com and baker-taylor.com.

3D print from your iPad

Designed for beginners with no 3D design experience, MakerBot’s free PrintShop app makes 3D printing easy by allowing users to create projects on iPads (iOS 7.0 or later) that can be printed on MakerBot 3D printers. The app’s new Shape Maker function, which was released as app update in April, further eases the 3D design experience, enabling users to transform their own 2D sketches, photos, and screen grabs into 3D printable files.

Users can take photos using Shape Maker’s camera interface or upload images with a distinct contrast and simple lines from their iPad photo album directly into the app. Using slider tools, areas of the image to be printed can be marked and adjusted until a completed 3D image has been created. Finished projects can be sent via Wi-Fi directly to a MakerBot Replicator Desktop 3D printer, a MakerBot Replicator Mini Compact 3D printer, or a MakerBot Replicator Z18 3D printer.

To change the size of a finished product, the file should be accessed via the MakerBot desktop interface to adjust sizing and scaling to fit the 3D printer in use. Saved files can be accessed in the MakerBot Cloud Library or in a personal account on Thingiverse.com, an online community created by MakerBot to view and share 3D printing designs.

The MakerBot PrintShop app is available for download at the Apple iTunes app store. For more information, visit bit.ly/1F4xEfd.

Beanstack for Kids

Product: Beanstack

Details: Produced by Zoobean, Beanstack is a free reader’s advisory app dedicated to children’s books

User: Amanda Foulk, K–12 specialist, Sacramento (Calif.) Public Library

How do you use Beanstack’s services? We promote Beanstack as a tool to help parents make the most of our collection, to build a love of reading at an early age, and to improve early literacy in our community. We launched Beanstack as part of our virtual branch in January. Youth services staffers have been recommending the service during outreach and at programming for newborns to 8-year-olds. Feedback has been positive from both staffers and parents who have signed up. With its learning tips and themed guides, it was easily integrated into our summer reading challenge this year.

How does it serve Sacramento Public Library’s needs? Beanstack allows us to help busy parents find books that are a perfect fit for their kids. Its recommendations reach parents in a way that is convenient and accessible for them, while also highlighting some of the hidden gems in our collection. We’re always looking for new ways to use this resource to support families in our area, both regular visitors and first-time library cardholders.

What are the main benefits? Beanstack supports our commitment to promoting effective early literacy practices. It’s distinguished from other book selection or recommended tools by being librarian-curated and specific to our collection. You will never receive a recommendation for a book that isn’t available on our shelves. It allows parents and caregivers to navigate our collection more effectively, while connecting them with a selection of books intentionally recommended for their child’s interests and needs.

What would you like to see improved or added to their service? As one of the first library systems to offer Beanstack, we have found that the company has been extremely responsive to our needs. It is still a young service, and some aspects of the model are still being refined. We look forward to continued improvements in the administrative dashboard, as well as expanding the age range to include children up to 12 years of age.

Latest Library Links

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Chris Hoffman writes: “When I was younger, I was told ‘never use your real name on the internet.’ But the world has changed, and I don’t follow that advice anymore. Likewise, there’s a lot of well-meaning online security advice that has outlasted its usefulness. There’s a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn’t blindly follow these old tips. At best, you’ll be wasting your time. At worst, you’ll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore.”

PC World, Apr. 17
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Bobbi L. Newman writes: “This week, an article from the BBC caught my attention: ‘Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs.’ Supporting employees going through menopause is important for those experiencing it and for everyone’s wellbeing. It reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing and a strategic approach to workforce management. Libraries can adopt strategies to support employees experiencing menopause, enhancing their wellbeing and workplace productivity. Remember, with all wellbeing, the goal is to support and empower staff to make the choices that best improve their health. Here are some practical approaches.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 19; BBC, Apr. 9
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Libraries have a long history of helping to deliver on a wide variety of development goals, from literacy and school readiness to research productivity and urban cohesion. Their unique potential has been recognized not just by the governments or others that traditionally fund them, but also by a range of other funders, private and public alike. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has created a dataset to help librarians easily discover examples of private philanthropic grants, as well as other funding sources, that other libraries have been able to leverage.”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Apr. 22
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Jackie Jennings writes: “It feels like the debate over whether #BookTok is bad has been raging since the moment the term was first coined. I’m starting off with a strong stance: BookTok is indeed bad. However, the problem with BookTok is not crappy books or bogus influencers. The problem with BookTok is TikTok itself. BookTok isn’t actually a community driven by fans, writers, influencers, or even publishers: it’s part of a social media corporation, controlled by the most mysterious, fickle god of all, the algorithm.” Not surprisingly, librarian recommendations can overcome some of BookTok’s limitations.

Jezebel, Apr. 18; Book Riot, Apr. 22
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ALA announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline grant program April 22. Over the next two years, 10 pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, or referral to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, as appropriate. State or school library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline in their state or expand existing efforts may apply for $10,000 grants through July 14.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Apr. 22
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In celebration of the release of his latest nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers & Librarians, bestselling author James Patterson is honoring select American Bookseller Association and American Library Association members with bonuses. He announced plans April 11 to give $200 each to 250 library workers across the country. The deadline for ALA members may nominate members to receive bonuses through April 30. Winners will be announced at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego.
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Catherine Hollerbach writes: “In early 2020, when the world shut down for COVID, many people got interested in houseplants. Anne Arundel County (Md.) Public Library’s Crofton Library embraced this trend and then some!” While preparing to reopen after the COVID shutdown, the library installed plants at the information desk to discourage patrons from sticking their heads through gaps in newly installed acrylic shields. They were well received and cared for, and the library gradually added more plants and built educational tools, programming, and partnerships around the plants.

Public Libraries Online, Apr. 18