This presentation outlines the development journey of the COBISS Plus application, from its initial beta phase (V14.0) to full production deployment and the launch of its own reader application (V19.0). It will highlight the key milestones and technical decisions that shaped the user experience.
Main topics:
- Development and addition of new features: Overview of the transition to a responsive web interface (PWA), integration of the COBISS Ela portal for e-books, implementation of online payment of debts, and digitization of procedures such as online registration and interlibrary loan.
- Why these features: The reasons for prioritizing certain tasks were based on users’ needs for mobility, access to e-content, and reducing the need to visit the library in person for administrative tasks.
- Development dilemmas: Addressing the challenges of replacing the old (legacy) application, issues related to optimizing complex search algorithms and facets, and striking a balance between advanced features for researchers and ease of use for general readers.
- Cooperation with external stakeholders: The development process in cooperation with e-content providers (COBISS Ela), authentication providers (Arnes AAI, Google), and financial institutions for online payments. The importance of feedback from the library network in guiding further development will also be presented.
The presentation will provide insight into how, through the thoughtful addition of new features and technological upgrades, a platform has been built that today serves as a central hub for accessing knowledge and culture within the Slovenian library area.
