I love having access to the app so easily on my phone, but most of the features don’t work. For example, while it claims that I could sort my checked out items by due date, title, etc., the items are never sorted. I can refresh the page, press ok, exit the app and re-open it, but nothing is sorted. I also cannot see what number I am in line on the waitlist for holds. And I cannot click on book titles in my holds or checkouts—when I click on a title and choose “view title in catalogue” it says “Error Unable to find title”. To this end, I find the app only useful for letting me know when a book is due or when I have holds available for pickup. I wish that more features were functional on my phone especially because I do not generally have access to my personal computer while on the go.
The app wasn’t working so I deleted it and downloaded the latest version in the Apple store. I access with an iPhone. Still didn’t work. When trying to log in I get a circle going round and round w/o end. Their server may not have enough capacity to handle all the transactions. Also, I get notifications from the library, but when I click on them, it goes to the home page, but nothing shows whatever triggered the notification—not an email, text message, or anything. When I access their web site using my iPhone (i.e. w/o using their app), everything works. Also the previous app, before the recent revision, used to work well. The county should do better than this product.
The one-touch library card saves me the hassle of carrying mine around, and tracking/freezing holds is a breeze. I also appreciate the news section, booklists, and the ability to check out other offerings like meeting rooms and free events (TONS of them — author talks, board game nights, storytimes) in one place.
Because the Arl Lib App is a gaping security hole, that’s why. Maybe I’ve read one too many spy thrillers but why a popular county-centric public app will not function if a user has VPN activated is beyond me. I mean every alphabet agency in the US has active/retired personnel everywhere in Arlington. If you wanted to target an app and mine strategic info from a population, this is where you’d do it. Otherwise, overlooking the blood loss, it’s a great useful handy app. Please eat this text after you’ve read it.
The updated (May 2023) app works fine on iPhones, but it doesn't permit library patrons to log in using iPads. Any attempt to log in is met with the never-ending wheel of death. Luckily, iPad users can still access library services by logging in to the library's website using Safari. A definite step backwards.
App was great initially. But months ago, a problem arose. The back arrow is up too high in the left corner of my iPhone X... it won’t work. So frustrating! I have to delete the app, reload the app and then it will work normally for a day or so. Then the top margin shifts back up too high again so that the menu and back arrow aren’t accessible. Before this issue, the app was great!!
Digital library card is a great feature, and I like having multiple cards on the app for our family. Searching the catalog, renewing items, and viewing holds is very easy. A very handy app!
Used to be great but lately it no longer shows any useful information - I can’t see my position on a waitlist and I can’t see any books in the catalog (I get an error for literally every book I click on). I have to open the web browser to do anything so the app is pretty useless now
I just downloaded this app maybe 2-3 weeks ago, and as of this week, it has completely stopped working. It won’t even open / load. I tried updating my iPhone to the latest OS, restarting etc, and that didn’t fix the problem.
Frustrating. After many tries, I was able to log in (by - confusingly - clicking sign up). But yesterday I was signed out, and the app won’t let me sign in.
While when it works it’s not bad, some days it just spins and spins and never lets you use the app. Even if you update the app, wait, force close, or anything else. Library staff all know it’s a mess.
The webpage is more functional. Sorting in the app doesn’t seem to work at all, and there’s an exclamation point on the profile image for no particular (or apparent) reason.
Why does this app exist? I can’t look up a book without having to launch the “web view” in the browser to do anything like add it to a list or reserve it.
Update 7/8/23: Still impossible to log into my account with version 2.0.18 of this app. Browser works okay, Android app works okay, but this app on a new iPad running iPadOS 16.5.1 doesn’t work when I try to log into my account. While the catalog works alright, it is impossible to log into a user account with version 2.0.17.
Easier than using the website on my phone! The Arlington library system is a treasure. Incredible selection, knowledgeable and helpful librarians, also full of things like children's story time and garden tool checkout that go beyond books.
I love this app, but... there’s a MAJOR bug for the eBook feature - please fix ASAP!! Positives: You can have multiple accounts in the app and easily toggle back and forth. You can search, please hold, renew books easily. You can quickly find a branch and see opening hours. I loved everything about this app, except for the latest terrible bug that affects the kindle download function. I found an eTitle that I downloaded. Then you have select “kindle” or “ePUB”. It used to be the case that when you then selected “kindle”, the amazon page would automatically launch and you’d select which kindle device you wanted to download to. Now the Arlington Library app does nothing after you select kindle. Then when you reopen the Arlington app the eBook states that I selected EPUB (which I did not). Please fix this bug ASAP. (I have replicated this error on two separate iPhones, both 6). I want to keep Arlington Library is my favorite app!
Arlington County, Virginia’s free app puts the public library at your fingertips wherever you might be. Search the library catalog, manage multiple library card accounts, book meeting rooms, and access library information and operating hours. You can browse featured events, news and popular booklists. The app takes advantage of several mobile-specific features such as barcode scanning, push notifications when holds are ready or accounts overdue, and geolocation to the nearest library. It is provided by Arlington County's Open Government Program to promote transparency and better access to data.
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