TOECA is an iPhone app created by James Nulick that allows users to scan book barcodes to check if the title is available at their local library or request that the library acquire it. The app name stands for "The Orange Eats Creeps", a novel by Grace Krilanovich that the author saw but could not afford to purchase. By scanning the barcode, TOECA checks the local library's catalog and can place holds on available books or suggest titles for the library to purchase to expand its collection. The goal is to help keep public libraries current and accessible to patrons.

1. TOECA (twe'kah) The Orange Eats Creeps Adventure AKA The Orange Eats Creeps App for the iPhone

3. My name is James Nulick

5. U of A SIRLS student,

6. Author of Obscure Works,

7. Anonymous clerk employed by a large corporation,

8. Avid reader of Modern Fiction,

9. and an iPhone user.

10. But enough of all that... let the adventure begin!

11. I recently found myself in Santa Fe, in front of a nice bookshop...

12. So I went inside, because I wanted TOECA!

13. So what is TOECA, you ask?

14. Is it something weird, like the Death of the Author?

15. Nope, "The Death of the Author" is an essay by Roland Barthes!

16. Is TOECA the nickname of my favorite rooster?

17. Nope, my rooster's name is Pasolini!

18. Quite simply, TOECA is The Orange Eats Creeps...

19. Is this The Orange Eats Creeps?

20. Nope, just a creep!

21. Is this The Orange Eats Creeps?

22. Nah, it's just a kid drinking orange soda...

23. The Orange Eats Creeps is a kickass new novel

24. by the lovely Grace Krilanovich.

25. So I'm in the bookstore, but I don't have enough dough to buy The Orange Eats Creeps...

26. And I can't grab n' dash, that's illegal!

27. That's where TOECA comes in!

28. I take the book I want off the shelf, turn it over, and snap a pic of the barcode with my iPhone...

29. The GPS system on my iPhone...

30. Sends a signal via satellite

31. to the nearest public library, in relation to where I am at the moment.

32. TOECA then checks the titles at my local library to determine if the library carries the book I want.

33. If my local library carries The Orange Eats Creeps, awesome! TOECA will then place a hold on the book for me, provided I have a current account, and the book isn't checked out at the moment.

34. However, if my local library doesn't own The Orange Eats Creeps, or any other materials I may want, because they are too new...

35. TOECA will politely suggest to the library staff that a patron has requested specific materials be obtained by the library for public use.

36. TOECA will help keep public libraries viable, current, and user-friendly.

37. Now that's what I call a win-win situation! Yay TOECA!