February 26, 2010

The Higher Colleges of Technology Go Live with AirPAC

First library in the United Arab Emirates to adopt Innovative's mobile technology

Emeryville, CA—The Higher Colleges of Technology have enabled the new AirPAC for Smartphones, allowing patrons to use the library catalog on mobile devices such as the iPhone, BlackBerry® Storm™, and more. As the first AirPAC customer in the United Arab Emirates, the library chose AirPAC because it was a new incentive for the students to gain access to the library catalog.

"AirPAC is useful to libraries like ours because of the push for mobile technology," says Robert O'Connell, Librarian at the Higher Colleges of Technology. "Most students carry mobile phones, so this provides easy-to-use access to the library catalog."

Identifying how students want to access library materials is an essential first step toward creating satisfied patrons. Wireless access with AirPAC is a step forward in bringing the library catalog to mobile library-users. AirPAC leverages the large, bright screens and updated browser support of Smartphones-while bringing patrons modern features like RightResult™ relevance-ranking technology, cover images (from third-party content providers such as Content Café), and direct connections to online resources and electronic journals. When users want to find their library, AirPAC helps by linking to Google Maps™. With AirPAC, accessing self-service features on-the-go is fast and easy—a convenient time saver for both patrons and library staff.

Innovative is offering a free upgrade to the AirPAC for Smartphones for customers currently using the classic AirPAC product.

BlackBerry® and Storm™ are trademarks of Research in Motion, LTD. iPhone™ is a trademark of Apple, Inc.
RightResult™ is a trademark of Innovative Interfaces.

About Higher College of Technology

The Higher Colleges of Technology is the largest higher educational institution in the United Arab Emirates with the current enrollment exceeding 18,000 students at its 17 campuses throughout the emirates. Since the establishment of its four founding colleges in 1988, the Higher Colleges of Technology have become well respected for innovative learning. All students learn in a technologically sophisticated educational environment that encourages development of the independent and life-long learning skills necessary for success in a fast changing world. The libraries are among the best equipped and most extensive in the Gulf region, boasting the full range of library collections and services and featuring advanced information and learning technologies.