Computer library service OCLC has announced that the new mapFAST Mobile lets one search WorldCat.org from their smartphone or mobile browser for materials related to any location and find them in the nearest library.
Available on the web and now as an Android app in the Google Play store, mapFAST is a Google Maps mashup that allows users to identify a point of interest and see surrounding locations or events using mapFAST's Google Maps display with nearby FAST geographic headings (including location-based events), then jump to WorldCat.org, the world's largest library catalogue, to find specific items and the nearest holding library.
WorldCat.org provides a variety of "facets" allowing users to narrow a search by type of item, year of publication, language and more.
With mapFAST Mobile, smartphone and mobile browser users can do a search based on their current location, or an entered search. The user's location or search provides a center for the map, and nearby FAST subject headings are added as location pins. A 'Search WorldCat' link then connects users to a list of records for materials about that location in WorldCat.org.
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