New York Public Library (NYPL‪)‬ 4+

I’m glad they finally have an app but the UI/UX leaves a lot to be desired. The “Holds” screen is not easy to read—I wish the status of the item and the pickup location were both more clear and visually separated in the app (using different colors, weights, fonts, etc.). Also, I wish you could pay fines and fees through the app rather than being redirected to the web page to login. I get why they might want you to reauthenticate, but can’t that be managed through the app as well? However, the catalog is pretty good!!

I’m not sure this has been thought through

I, I think like most people, leave my wifi on on my phone

At the library it does reconnect as it is a remembered network

But I still need to open a browser page to accept the terms and conditions. I may need to do this unpredictably again if my browser was refreshed or the NYPL branch network was

Otherwise the mobile checkout will get stuck as it can’t connect (it just said “loading” rather than something useful).

Alternatively I can shut off wifi on my phone. And of course remember to turn it in again later so I don’t use up my data plan.

This seems like a good deal of bother to just take out a book.

If I use the kiosk in my branch I have to remember to first scan my library card and then the NYPL barcode on the book(s).

Easier but still have to remember the sequence as there are no instructions at the kiosk (at least at my local branch)

Again, is this really worth it? Maybe if there are long lines, which I don’t see at my branch.

Most of this seems like technology for technology’s sake. A solution looking for a problem, which invariably causes other problems

Bottom line - perhaps useful at peak times once folks learn all this but when not peak then librarian check out is much easier and faster and hopefully will remain available.

Thrilled to see a dedicated NYPL app. Been waiting for one for years. Has potential to be very useful tool.

Biggest initial gripe: Where are the LISTS and the ability to add to/manage them? Many books in NYPLs collection are unavailable to be checked out/put on hold. This is my primary use of the website/catalog beyond searching the catalog itself.