The catalog links to a prettier, patron-centric version of some of this information, but for staff, please read on for more details....

We have been told by our app developer to expect that most functions on the app will not be available for the foreseeable future (maybe Q2 of 2024).  Encourage your patrons to uninstall the app entirely. Even when the new version is released it will require people to install a new app. 

We know that the loss of these functions on the app is frustrating for the many people who use it, which then puts you and your staff in a tight spot. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Please inform your patrons and maybe link to the patron-centric information page on your website/social media.

We will be sending out a mailing to all patrons who have used the app in the last 6 months probably next week. 

The app's ability to connect to our main catalog servers is broken. This means that some features may still appear to work, when in fact they are showing old, outdated information. The app will not search the catalog or show accurate checkouts and holds. It may show hours and locations but since the app cannot connect to our servers, those hours may be wrong. It may display a saved library card barcode, but that card cannot be updated. 

WHAT SHOULD I TELL PATRONS TO USE INSTEAD?

• Encourage patrons to to put a shortcut to the mobile version of the Library catalog website on to their device. We have included steps showing how to do this below.
• Patrons can also use Shoutbomb to renew materials and see what they have checkedout, as well as getting text notices about items coming due soon.

HOW TO ADD A SHORTCUT TO THE MOBILE CATALOG ON A PATRON'S DEVICE:
APPLE: SAFARI BROWSER
Our Library catalog is designed to work on mobile, and includes most of the features you're accustomed to using in the Library app.
1. Open the Safari browser and enter http://catalog.winnefox.org
With the site loaded, follow these instructions to save the site as a saved app on your device:
1. Look for a "Share" icon in the bottom bar on the page, next to the forward and back buttons
2. With the share menu open, look for an option called "Add to Home screen" and tap it
3. A box called "Add to Home screen" will appear
o You can rename the app if you want
o Tap Add in the top-right corner of the screen to complete the steps
4. A new icon will appear on your device's screen; you can move it around using the standard home screen press & drag options, or leave it where it is
5. Tap the icon at any time to launch the mobile website
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ANDROID: GOOGLE CHROME BROWSER
Our Library catalog is designed to work on mobile, and includes most of the features you're accustomed to using in the Library app. If you're reading these instructions on your Android phone or tablet, click this link to launch the mobile site: http://catalog.winnefox.org.
With the site loaded, follow these instructions to save the site as a saved app on your device:
1. Look for a three-dot Settings icon in the top-right of the page.
2. With Settings open, look for an option called "Add to Home screen" and tap it
3. A box called "Add to Home screen" will appear
o You can rename the app if you want
o Tap Add to complete the steps
4. A new icon will appear on your device's screen; you can move it around using the standard home screen press & drag options, or leave it where it is
5. Tap the icon at any time to launch the mobile website
 

STATEMENT FROM OUR VENDOR:

SirsiDynix is the owner of your library's mobile application. However, another vendor controls the access of the app. Unfortunately, they have unexpectedly disabled the app, rendering it inoperable.

As an immediate solution, we are working with your library to enable mobile searching of the catalog via the library's website. This allows many of the core search features of the mobile app to be available on your mobile devices. You can use the URL below to access this capability:

Winnefox Library System Catalog

We have also been aggressively developing an entirely new, next-generation mobile app for your library. While it is not yet available for general use, we anticipate it will be ready in the next few months. This app will deliver the functionality you enjoyed in the original app, along with many new features.

We regret any inconvenience this has caused you. Please know that your library had absolutely no way of anticipating this situation, and we hope you'll be understanding as we work through this difficult, interim period.

Bill Davison

Chief Executive Officer