The Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNet launched a new online service for creating, publishing, and using digital content applicable in teaching: multimedia digital documents, presentations, and e-books in EPUB and PDF formats. The service, named Libar, consists of two components: a web application available at https://libar.carnet.hr/, intended primarily for teachers and professors and enabling simple online creation of digital educational content, and a mobile application downloaded to mobile devices, designed to enable the use of published digital educational material and equipped with all the functionalities of an e-reader.
Access to the web application does not require previous installation on a computer and is based on the AAI@EduHr electronic identity, through which users access the application. The application is adapted for primary and secondary school teachers and users without extensive prior technical knowledge, and is unique due to its simplicity and user-friendliness. The basic functions of the web interface are: digital content creation, content and user group management, and content publication in a mobile application. Digital content created using Libar can include: text, images, multimedia, and short self-check quizzes.
An integral part of the Libar service is the mobile application, through which users can download and read EPUB and PDF content created within the web application. User login through the mobile application is performed in the same way as through the web user interface – via the AAI@EduHr electronic identity.
Users can download all EPUB and PDF content they have created, as well as content from other users, provided it is permitted by access rights.
The mobile application is supported by the Android, Windows Phone, and iOS operating systems.
The application was launched for a trial period in November 2015 at the CARNet Users Conference CUC 2015. During the conference, an accompanying competition was organized for participants. Among the 17 e-books created using Libar, the e-book titled "U potrazi za knjigom" ("In Search of a Book") by user Nastja Srok won first place, and the user herself was awarded a tablet device.
Since its launch, the web application has been accessed by 290 teachers who have created 72 pieces of digital content so far.
More information about the new service is available at http://www.carnet.hr/libar.