The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today released a new mobile application (app) allowing Apple iPad users to access a broad range of IMF statistical data. The free app, “IMF eLibrary,” is part of the Fund’s effort to make statistical data more accessible. This tool, which will soon be complemented by versions for other handheld devices (such as iPhone, iTouch, and Android), is integrated with social networking tools, enabling users to share data reports and comments with each other.

The app gives iPad users access to a broad range of statistical datasets including a selection from the International Financial Statistics. In addition, it provides access to the latest editions of non-statistical IMF publications such as the World Economic Outlook, Global Financial Stability Report, Fiscal Monitor, and Regional Economic Outlooks.

Users can easily access key indicators from a range of databases the IMF maintains, including International Financial Statistics, Direction of Trade Statistics, Government Finance Statistics, International Reserves, Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey, Currency Composition of Official Foreign Exchange Reserves, Coordinated Direct Investment Survey and Financial Soundness Indicators. Data access is available in the form of standard reports and can be presented as tables and visualizations.

The app relies on the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standards for accessing the underlying data, like the PGI Data Explorer, which was released in May, 2011. It can be downloaded from Apple’s AppStore here.

The IMF has also recently released version 3.0 of the IMF News and Data iPad app, with an updated state-of-the-art user interface and a number of enhancements such as social media integration. This app is also free and can be downloaded from Apple’s AppStore here.