ShelvAR- The best thing since the DDC

Really, what was Dewey thinking? Was he just making sure that no library worker would ever be safe from the dreaded shelf check? So we never would have time to just sit around and read books all day? Yep, never a dull moment while those books continue to find themselves out of order while the Decimal system continues to confuse unsuspecting shelvers. Well, finally,Dewey's plans may just be foiled...

Recently, at a gathering in Ohio called the LITA National Forum, two geniuses from the Miami University, Librarian Stacy Brinkman and Bo Brinkman, Professor of computing, presented our saviour- ShelvAR- a shelf checking Android App! (At last!!!!) While the project still requires funding, and is still in the pilot stage, an Application Programme Interface is available, a code posted to github. An IOS App is a work in progress, the Android App is not open source,and the University may file a patent after the one year provisional phase. Tests have proved the App helps to save time and improve the accuracy of those poor unsuspecting shelvers.

To prepare the collection for use, the staff labelled the books with codes generated by the LC numbers, placed them in a straight line then simply scanned the labels with a smartphone camera.The ShelvAr app then ticks properly placed items and questions the misplaced. Tap the screen and an arrow points you in the correct direction. Check out the ShelvAr in action with exciting demonstrative videos at http://www.shelvar.com/