there’s an app for that
TRANSCRIPT
There’s an app for that: From Concept to Launch
July 23, 2015
Meet your presenters
Angela Meyers Waukesha County Federated Library System
Dustin HahnUW-Milwaukee’s App Brewery
From Concept to Launch: This is what we learned
Planning PatiencePersistence Partnerships
It all began when…
While preparing to launch the 1000 Books before Kindergarten program, we had an idea
May 2013
Explore options to attract mobile savvy audience
Google Drive
Pro: Free
Con: People have to have a google account and if they don’t, it’s a hassle. Not customizable. Does it live on each library’s web site?
Web site
Pro: customized to our needs
Con: Cost to secure web site, develop tool and maintenance
Mobile app
Pro: customizable, it’s in our user’s pocket or bag
Con: Cost to develop and maintain it
Nearly 2/3 of Americans are now
smartphone owners, and for many these devices are a key entry point to the
online world
Pew Research http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/01/us-smartphone-use-in-2015/June 2013
Planning
Exploring Options
PubYac Listserv Inquiry. No one knew of a 1000 books app in development but were very interested in the concept
Contacted a web designer turned app developer for a ballpark figure…
$8,500-10,000
http://genius.com/609608
But then…
A Journal Sentinel news post shows up on Facebook about the App Brewery.
http://www.jsonline.com/business/uwm-student-lab-buzzing-with-app-developers-b9937648z1-212254661.htmlJune 2013
Ask and you shall receive! Contacted SOIS via a Facebook message and the
inquiry was passed on & we were connected
Discussed the project via phone briefly and determined it would be a WIN-WIN-WIN
Students get real-world experience
Libraries get an app for their patrons
SOIS sponsors the App Brewery & they turn out a library app
July 2013
Brainstorming
Who was involved? WCFLS staff members, the project manager at the App Brewery and a few students
Statement of work discussed: iOS/Android
COPPA compliance (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)
parent-child relationship in database where do we pull the books in from? where does this data live? who is paying for what? timeline
August 2013
Two Steps Forward First mock up design for feedback
Intellectual freedom. Who owns the app?
App developer license. Which entity obtains the developer’s license – Waukesha County? Waukesha County Federated Library System? The App Brewery?
http://andrewmcconville.com/1000-books-kindergarten/November 2013
Planning
One Step Back
Library System contacts County IT to discuss developer’s license and ownership and in turn we are asked to fill out a Software Development Life Cycle document which included writing a business case
January-April 2014
Patience
Invite More People to the Table
Set up meeting between County IT, App Brewery and Library System Staff
App Brewery project manager leaves
New project manager starts Set up another meeting between County IT and new App
Brewery Project Manager to get acquainted and discuss SDLC
May-August 2014
Partnership
Another bump…
Waukesha County Corporation Counsel looks at the Apple & Google Developer License Agreements
Lots of verification of identity with Apple and finally released the developer license. Google Play is less stringent and released it immediately after we paid the fee
August 2014
Patience
Back in the Saddle
Focus group got together about once per month and included available member librarians, system staff and App Brewery team
October - December 2014
Persistence
Testing Phase
Testers for the app – both Android and Apple. Several versions were released as feedback was received and implemented
January – April 2015
Patience
Push to the App Stores
App Brewery submits the app to Apple Store and wait for them to give it the OK. Something needs adjusting and the App Brewery fixes it and submits it again…and we wait
Patience
April 2015
It’s LIVE!
App Brewery pushes the app out to the Google Play store and it goes live within a day
The Apple store releases the app and marks it ‘Ready for Sale.’ App Brewery pushes it into the market
April 2015
But then…
A librarian reported that if you searched “rubber ducky” explicit content displayed
May 2015
Patience
Back to the drawing board App brewery devises a way to scrub out words
related to explicit images
New version released into the app stores
June 2015
Planning
How did we launch
Training Videos – Internal & Public (Dustin)
App Overview & FAQs for Library Staff (Angela)
Press Release (UW-Milwaukee)
Marketing Toolkit for Libraries (Intern)
Word of Mouth (Librarians)
April-June 2015
Planning
Challenges & Unexpected Benefits Challenges
Re-starting the project
Prioritizing ideas
Unexpected Benefits Something so small can generate so much publicity and
inquiry
Students learned that the client is right & they have multiple tiers to work through
Used the app personally
What made it all work?
Planning PatiencePersistence Partnerships
Interested in partnering?
Waukesha County Federated Library System is interested in expanding the app so that libraries outside of Waukesha County can use it and generate usage reports. However, we need partners and funding to pay for these improvements and increased cloud storage
Contact Us!
Angela MeyersCoordinator of Youth and Special Needs ServicesWaukesha County Federated Library [email protected](262) 896-8245
Dustin HahnProject ManagerUW-Milwaukee’s App [email protected](414) 604-6253