In case you were tired of carrying around a document that contains on average 156 pages, the Congressional Record can now be viewed on your iPad.
Last week, the Library of Congress released an app that allows iPad users to view the Congressional Record, which is the official account of Congress’ activities.
The app was released with the help of the Government Printing Office, which assembles the Congressional Record, and was requested by the House Administration Committee.
The last time the GPO was involved with the creation of an app, the pictorial directory app that was released last year, it produced a Web-based app, meaning that it created a shortcut for smartphone or tablet users to quickly find the online pictorial directory from their home screen.
This time around, the app is native, meaning it was specifically designed for the iPad, had to meet Apple’s standards and must be downloaded through the official app store. Typically, creating native apps rather than Web-based apps is a more expensive and time-consuming process.
In addition to using its own resources, the library spent about $75,000 on independent contractors to create the app, which took about four months to complete, said Jennifer Gavin, the agency’s acting communications director.
Currently, the app is only available on the iPad and not on other Apple devices, like the iPhone or iPod Touch, or other smartphones and tablets. Gavin said in an email that although making the app available on other devices is possible, it is “not currently on our work schedule.”
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
