LOC/BWI for Apps?

Since I sent out a call for interest in a curated collection of apps by librarians, I’ve had a number of people contact me offering their time, services and enthusiasm.  Yay! There is a need and an interest for this. If you’d like to be involved in this discussion, comment below, Tweet me or use my contact form.

The conversation has already started. Except…. what do we DO with it? What exactly will we build? What kind of tool will be useful to librarians, preschool teachers and parents that hasn’t been created already? It can’t JUST be reviews; what would librarians bring to a project like this? What is the vision for this project? How do we manage the scope? Let’s start by thinking big.  What if we could create a “catalogue” of kids educational and book based apps? There are a few models for services that we could look at; WorldCatBWI TitleTales or LOC. But what I think we’re really talking about is GoodReads or Novelist for kids apps.

How do we choose what apps to include, or is the goal to try to record EVERYTHING? Is there any point in putting all this effort into recording digital objects that could be non-existent any time? Do we limit the time/effort we put on apps produced by smaller, indie app developers (as opposed to Random House or OceanHouse Media, for example)? How can we create something that will be useful for any library to use? Can we partner with a professional organization for endorsement and offer access to the database through that organization’s website, or as an app in itself? (Big ideas, I know- I specialize in big ideas)

What I would be really jazzed about is a field that we can use to include information about how the app could be used in a library program. What if we could include apps that can be used in “traditional” storytimes like ECRR2Mother Goose on the Loose or Parent Child Mother Goose Program? (we’d need permission to do this explicitly, of course)

Let’s talk about this tool! Let’s build something for the children’s library community as a whole!

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Posted on December 12, 2012, in Apps, collaboration and tagged . Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.

  1. I love this idea. So far, the closest thing I’ve found to this is the Kindertown app–have you seem that one? It reviews apps and organizes them in a most convenient way and it’s run by educators. Maybe we could partner with them and see if there are any librarianly tweaks we could suggest? I am intrigued by the idea of a goodreads for apps…

  2. I tweeted a response, Cen. This is a great call to action. I’d be delighted to become involved, offering a UK perspective.

  3. I’ve shared our google doc with you two so you can toss your ideas in the ring! Thanks for stepping up!

  4. I love this idea – and I think that including “everything” is helpful. I like to see when someone didn’t like something (or thought this crazy app might have a great use). If we only include the good apps, people might wonder if no one has reviewed other ones and not realize they weren’t included because they aren’t as valuable. I’d also love to be a part of this discussion!!

  5. I love this idea – and I think that including “everything” is helpful. I like to see when someone didn’t like something (or thought this crazy app might have a great use). If we only include the good apps, people might wonder if no one has reviewed other ones and not realize they weren’t included because they aren’t as valuable. I’d also love to be a part of this discussion!!

  6. Would love to be in on this discussion! We’re getting closer to launching our iPad Story Time and App Chat programs (planned for early 2013) and would appreciate hearing about how apps are being used in libraries.

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