York County Libraries deleting its mobile app
York County Libraries is ditching the years-old app it once heralded as a means of connecting readers to books and goings-on at its 13 libraries across the county.
The number of people who downloaded the free program to their electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, didn't warrant the cost to host the app, said Deb Sullivan, spokeswoman for the libraries.
The app will no longer be in service starting Nov. 1.
"It's going away completely," she said. "We're always looking to make the best use of funds."
Going mobile: But electronic ties to the libraries won't be completely cut off, and library staff is looking to make the library's mobile website more user-friendly, Sullivan said.
Many of the features from the app will migrate to the mobile site, making it easier for users to surf the site on a mobile device, she said.
Prominent features on the improved mobile site will include the popular Overdrive feature (which allows readers to borrow e-books and e-audio books), Hoopla (which is similar to Overdrive but also lets users stream video) and Wowbrary, which alerts users to new book, DVDs and other media at the libraries, Sullivan said.
Users can also sign up to receive the Wowbrary newsletter that lands in a user's email inbox weekly, she added.
"We're moving more to a mobile-responsive website," Sullivan said. "We felt this is a better way to go."
The library system is also working to better engage users via social media, such as Facebook and Twitter.
Help: A traveling tech guru will continue to visit library locations, she said.
The guru makes monthly stops at libraries across the county to help cardholders navigate the library's electronic services. The expert will focus on helping users with the library's switch from the app to the mobile website, Sullivan said.
To view the schedule of when the guru will be at each library and to learn more about all the services the library system offers, go to its website .
— Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.