‘More accessible, convenient’ — Essex County Library launches new mobile app

Future central library? The provincially owned and currently closed Ontario Tourism Information Centre in downtown Windsor is shown on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. City hall is on the right.

Library materials are now just a tap away with a new mobile app.

The Essex County Library has launched an app for smartphones and tablets, making it easier for users to browse the catalog, check their accounts, renew borrowed items, place holds, and keep up with events.

“Our goal is to make library resources more accessible and convenient for everyone,” said Adam Craig, chief librarian for Essex County Library.

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“This app is a major step forward in enhancing our digital services. It’s one-stop-shopping for all your library needs.”

App users can explore the library’s digital collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks — including new releases, popular children’s books, cookbooks, and more — while searching by keyword, author, series, subject, or title.

“There’s a really cool feature if you’re out and about in a Chapters or Indigo and you see something, you can scan the ISBN number — the barcode on the back — and it’ll tell you if we have it. It’s super cool if you’re into saving money,” Craig said.

The app also makes it easier to bookmark favourites and track future reads. Plus, it shows users the nearest Essex County Library branch and its distance.

“A big part of our strategic plan that we launched this year is making sure that everybody has access to everything,” said Craig.

“The positive feedback has been coming in.”

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