New York Public Library (NYPL) Hack 1.0.4 + Redeem Codes

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.

Love having the app on my phone for easy access without having to log on to the website and it looks nice enough, but doing anything takes sooooo long (searching the catalog, requesting a hold, loading your holds/checkouts)—I spend more time looking at the spinner than anything else. I usually end up just using the website on my phone’s browser because, even with the extra step of logging in, it’s faster. If they could fix the slowness issues, the app would be great!

It helps if you are checking if the book is at the library and if not you have another option “Place Hold”. It helps me know when to get it and it is easy to use. Good app

I’m not picky. They had an app years ago and then deleted it for some reason. Now there’s an app again. I can put books on hold from my phone again, that’s all I wanted.

After going years without a dedicated app it’s astounding that one of the greatest libraries in the would couldn’t do better. Instead of consolidating all library information in one app, you have to go to Simply E for digital information. It’s not optimized for iPads so it’s just phone size on the screen. Someone in app development should take a look at the Brooklyn Public Library app for features and user interface.

It’s incredibly frustrating to search for a book that you know if available and come up with no results. And then when you search on the website, there are listings for hardcover, large print, e and audio versions. Seems to me when one of the key purposes of the app just doesn’t work well, they need to do some fixes.

I still thankfully have the old no longer available NYPL app (with the white icon) which still works perfectly. Doing a search with the new app does not link all media types and I don’t know why. I use eBooks now. Borrow and send to my Kindle. This new app? Cannot do. SimplyE is fine. But no kindle integration so no go. Please fix. Please unify. Its a think we all need now. LOL.

The previous method was very archaic and somewhat outdated. It so nice to have all of the advancements now within the app. I love the mobile checkout and the ease of reserving books through the app. It’s been a total game changer in the best possible way.