The Urbana Free Library

Recently updated the app, which I was very happy with, but now it forces portrait mode and doesn’t allow landscape mode, which is horribly inconvenient on my iPad. Please bring landscope mode back as an option!

The creators of this app clearly put the effort into figuring out what features library patrons really need at their fingertips. Scanning a book’s barcode to see if it is available at the library and providing an handy “Reserve” button? Done. Pulling up an electronic version of your library card for when you forgot/lost the physical card? Done. Seeing all physical and electronic items you have on hold or on loan at a glance - plus getting a convenient “Listen Now” button on the audiobooks of the latter list? Done. A tab showing reviews of the book you just searched for? Done. And much, much more. As an added bonus, the app has a clean, easy-to-read, and well-organized layout. Key features, like the search bar, your account, and an events calendar are right up top, along with a visually enticing row of covers from new and recommended books. I have found it very intuitive and simple to navigate.