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Introduction to Mobile Services for Libraries
Objectives By the end of this class, students will: • Understand the range and variety of available mobile
devices libraries are offering to users • Review and evaluate mobile devices for library use using a
range of resources • Access information through quality mobile applications • Integrate mobile devices and applications into library
services
Handheld technology: The social impact
• Capturing current events in our news cycle • No texting while driving laws • Device wars • ?
So what are we talking about?
• Information at hand • The mobile web • Fast & convenient no matter where you are!
Content on the move…
• Web sites • QR Codes • Library instruction • Databases • Social media (library related) • A variety of messaging applications and
services
Goin’ Mobile • Always on (well, most of the time): Web-enabled mobile
devices provide around-the-clock access to the Internet • Location-Aware: Many of today's smartphones and tablets
have global positioning system (GPS) capabilities, which make them “aware” of where they are at all times.
• Limitless (mostly): the mobile Web includes the whole Web, not only those sites specially designed for mobile browsing. Access to all the same online resources that they would find via their desktop computer.
• Interactive: Users can create content, such as photos and videos taken with their camera phones, share and rate media, make comments, write blog posts, tag resources, and form connections on social networks.
From the field and to the sky
“Our students, faculty, and staff can now access much of our e-content from a street
corner, park, dorm, airport, or anywhere mobile devices can be used.”
Steven E. Smith, associate dean for Collections and Services at Texas A&M University Libraries.
Challenges • Cost for device
– Serving so many devices & which device • Cost for service • Finding made-for-mobile content on the
internet – Creating mobile content
• Asking ourselves--What do we offer? • Surveying: what patrons want and need
Libraries & the mobile move
• General information, Apps – Real-time computer availability for example!
• Mobile access, databases, OPACs • Docking stations • Services
– Reference – Send to cell services – Notices
Choosing a device: What’s out there?
• Feature phone • Smart phone • e-reader • Tablet • “Phablet” • Up next: • “wearable computer”--Apple Watch “Head mounted display” (Google glass)
Stats…and services Pew Internet & American Life Project
2013 Report, “Library Services in the Digital Age”
• Service: An online research service where you could pose questions and get responses from librarians
• 73% of those in the survey said they would be interested in this as a service
• http://www.askalibrarian.org/m/
A program that allowed people to try out the newest tech devices or applications
69% of respondents say they would be interested in a “technology petting zoo” program that allowed people to try out the newest
tech devices or applications; some 35% say they would be “very likely” to use such a service.
Guide: Device petting zoo
• TechSoup: • Gadget Instruction
• http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/edge-benchmarks-gadget-instruction
A cell phone app that allows you to access and use library services from your phone and see what programs the
library offers
• Overall, 63% of respondents say they would be likely to use library a cell phone app that would allow them to access and use library services from their phone; some 35% say they would be “very likely” to use such an app, including 45% of smartphone owners and 41% of tablet owners.
Mobile App challenges
• Staff knowledge/programming • Vendors (Boopsie is the biggie) • Testing • Services
There’s an app for that!
• DCPL • GaTech • NCSU • Duke • OCLC
Create your own or recommend for use!
Ga Tech app
e-book readers already loaded with the book you want to read
• Overall, 58% of respondents say they would be likely to check out pre-loaded e-readers if their library offered them; some 26% say they would be “very likely” to take advantage of this service.
Classes or instruction on how to use handheld reading devices like e-book readers and tablet computers
• About half (51%) of respondents say they would be interested in classes on how to download library e-books to handheld devices, including 23% who say they would be “very likely” to take these classes.
Computer class lesson plans and ideas
• Iowa State Library • http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/i-j/
infolit/toolkit/compplans
• Edge Assessment Tool Kit • http://www.libraryedge.org/benchmarks/
community-value/digital-literacy
Discussion: What other services are you hearing about/considering?
• A few suggestions to spark us off: – Augmented reality (check out “What Was
There?”) – http://www.whatwasthere.com/iphone/ – Geographic services – Notification services (ILS, – Instruction – Mass SMS for polling/marketing – Polling – ?
Getting your services noticed • Often begins with library web page • Word of mouth • Instruction / guides/ tutorials
• Promotion—in the community around campus • Examples of library web pages promoting mobile: • UVA: http://guides.lib.virginia.edu/mobile • Ford Memorial (IL):
http://fordlibrary.org/are-you-the-proud-owner-of-a-new-e-reader
More strategies: getting your services out there
• Home page, blogs, existing social media • Promote services, collections, and access • Incentivize participation in the mobile
environment
At the reference desk/ In the classroom
Back to basics • Mobile devices “straddle the intersection
of three significant industry trends: computing , connectivity, and the cloud
• Quick and to the point • Customizable
Laundry lists of mobile applications
• AASL, “Best Apps for Teaching and Learning” • http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/best-apps/2014 • American Libraries, “40 Great Apps for Mobile Reference and
Outreach” • http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blog/40-great-apps-
mobile-reference-and-outreach • “60 Apps in 60 Minutes” (Joe Murphy) • http://www.slideshare.net/joseph.murphy/60-apps-in-60-mins • Federal Mobile Apps Directory • http://www.usa.gov/mobileapps.shtml • IPL Apps for News and Current Events • http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/85341
Mobile access to information
• General info or website • Databases • Personalized messages and notices • Facts, information, sometimes with greater
efficiency
Mobile sites= simple
Database service providers gone mobile
• EBSCO • WorldCat • IEEE • RefWorks • LexisNexis • Gale • Plenty more out there…
An example of services and M-wiki:
• UVA: http://guides.lib.virginia.edu/mobile
• http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=M-Libraries
Mobile Reference Services
• Text a Librarian/MOSIO • Libraryh3LP
Best practices: reference
• Staffing – “Text questions to us Monday through Friday, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. We will
respond as soon as possible during those hours. Questions not answered by 6:00 PM will be answered after 1:00 PM the next service day (M-F). Questions sent outside of service hours receive an automated response and are answered the next service day.
Please be aware that some text messages can be delayed or even fail due to problems with the connections between different telephone carriers.” (San Josè Public Library)
• Individual vs. institution communication • What to implement?
Instruction
• Great guide from the Colorado Association of Libraries:
• http://coloradolibrariesjournal.org/content/teaching-mobile-devices
What do you think would be the primary benefits of using mobile devices in education or the library?
Fun in the classroom
• Integrating mobile into instruction – Polls (like ‘clickers’) – PollEverywhere – www.polleverywhere.com
• Using mobile to expand instruction – Augmented reality – The once hated ‘scavenger hunt’
• Handheld Librarian • Computers in Libraries • TechCrunch, WIRED, NPR
Mobile Devices, Reviews/Evaluation tools
• WIRED online • CNET • Consumer Reports • TechRadar • PC Magazine
Parting thoughts
• Who are your users? How will you get to know them and their needs?
• What needs can be addressed via mobile services?
• What devices are in use? • Is this the right thing for us right now? • You don’t have to achieve a complete mobile
library experience overnight!
