Location-based recommendation services in library book stacks

Purpose: This paper seeks to suggest a model for location-based recommendation services that enable greater access to print and electronic resources. Design/methodology/approach: The paper takes the form of a synthesis of previous work in basic and applied collections-based wayfinding incorporating library and information science (LIS) literature on user context and system recommendations. Findings: The paper identifies problems that will need to be solved before implementation of the production-level recommendation service and suggests possible implications the system may have on reference and instruction services. Originality/value: The paper provides computing workflows necessary to implement a library recommendation service based on user location. iPhone Software Developer Kit templates are leveraged for modeling data and interface prototypes. Use cases and user models are developed.