The mobile site was developed using technologies and practices that OSU Libraries'
programmers were familiar with. This enabled a fast and agile development cycle with
each stage going from the planning phase to release in three to four months. To
support such a fast turn-around time we used standard web technologies such as
XHTML, CSS, and non-essential javascript for the static content in the first stage. We
built the catalog and other dynamic content with Ruby, a server side scripting
language. We recommend choosing a combination of technologies your IT team
supports and using existing web services to quickly add new services. It is interesting
to note that the library's mobile web site was the first at Oregon State University
optimized for mobile devices. In late December 2009 the University released their
limited mobile web site, which borrowed heavily from the design of the library web
site