February 08, 2010
Find Library Listings from WorldCat through RedLaser iPhone Application
A popular application for iPhone users, RedLaser, now includes library listings when a user scans a book barcode with their iPhone. Developed by Occipital of Boulder, Colorado, RedLaser puts information from thousands of libraries at a user’s fingertips. The application uses the WorldCat Search API and WorldCat Registry API to deliver results for nearby libraries that hold the item in WorldCat, the world’s largest library catalog. Location and mapping information is also available.
The RedLaser iPhone application, currently available in the U.S. for books only, is one of several mobile applications designed for users to access library information from WorldCat. The WorldCat Mobile pilot application is available for download on all Web-enabled phones in the UK, U.S., Netherlands, Germany, France and Canada at www.worldcat.org/mobile.
WorldCat-related APIs are available to anyone interested in creating noncommercial mash-ups or mobile applications that include library data. Commercial applications, like RedLaser, use the WorldCat Search API through partnership agreements.
iPhone users can download the RedLaser application for US$ 1.99 through Apple’s iTunes application store.
