1

Tablet adoption, diffusion and implementation in academic libraries:

A qualitative content analysis of librarians' discourse on blogging platforms

Contents of presentation

Research Problem Research Questions Theoretical Framework & Methods Findings Conclusions & Recommendations

2

RESEARCH PROBLEM

3

4

5

Properties of modern tablets

'portable computing devices' 'touch-sensitive' screens akin to traditional printed

media Fewer hardware capabilities than workstations Portable access Size of printed books

6

Potential relevance to academic libraries:

libraries could benefit from integrating tablets instead of workstations

built for media consumption seem a perfect fit for use with the library's e-

resources and digital collections.

Possible solution to making exponentially growing e-resources accessible

7

Problem Defined:

Problematic:Though introduced in 2002, adoption only began in 2010 after the launch of the IPad.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study was guided by the following:

1. What can blogs and tweets tell us about the diffusion of tablets in academic libraries?

2. Why do early adopters or academic librarians adopt tablets and implement them into library services?

8

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK & METHODS

10

Units of analysis

+ blog posting on tablets in academic libraries that quote academic librarians

Academic libraries/ library workers blog posts

11

Tiwari (2007)

• Library technology stable until recently. • Used to be based on based on paper

and cardboard. • Small improvements easy grasped Radical change in technology unlikely to be understood and appreciated except by a few visionaries who focus on underlying principles, but whose visions could prove serious erroneous.

12

Tiwari (2007)• Considering new technology and its

possible applications is difficult

• Understandably, librarians think of new technology in relation to uses of current technology

• Such uses based on capabilities and limitations of current technology, rather than what ideally needs to be done.

• Ideally, new technology should be considered based on first principles and theoretical definition of what constitutes ideal library service.

13

Theoretical framework

(c) 2003

14

Theoretical framework

Rogers’ (2003) Diffusions of innovation

Term Meaning or indicator

adoptionDecision to make full use of an innovation as the best course of action available

diffusion Communication of an innovation (in this case, tablets)

implementation Putting an innovation (tablets) to use

15

Why Rogers’ (2003) theory?

Determined by some as the most appropriate theory for investigating the

adoption of technology in higher educational environments

16

Theoretical framework of diffusion of tablets

Method

Twitter search#tablets

#university

#libraries

Blog miningSearch terms:

TABLETS (UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE OR ACADEMIC) (LIBRARY OR LIBRARIES)

17

Googleblogs

18

Data collection

Studied blogs and tweets during the period of October 15, 2011 to November 15, 2011.

Tools used for data collection and analysis –

Google Docs + Mail merge

19

Procedure

1. Develop a form from which to enter structured data about the blogs and tweets encountered as well as research notes and memos.

2. Import the structured data and notes from spreadsheet format into a word document for further processing.

3. Analyze textual data using conceptual map and framework from the literature, thereby assigning categories.

20

Data collection forms

21

Deductive Analysis of Qualitative data

Analytic induction

OR

the use of Sensitizing concepts

22

Theoretical framework of sensitizing concepts

Rogers’ (2003) 5 FactorsRogers defines five intrinsic characteristics of innovations that influence an individual member

of a social system to adopt or reject an innovation.

Factor Definition

Relative Advantage Degree of improvement over prior innovations

Compatibility Degree of consistency with existing values and past experiences

Complexity Degree to which innovation is easily understood and can be used

Divisibility Degree to which innovation may be tried on a limited basis

Communicability The extent that an innovation is easily observed and communicated to others.

FINDINGS

Findings

24

Memo 1:Blogs and tweets: communicate about adoption and implementing of Tablets in library services and help to disseminate/diffuse the innovation.

25

Blogs & Tweets mention formal events

Internet Librarian conference in 2011IL2011

“Engaging Your Community with Tablets and Social Computing”

Posted by: Kathy Dempseyhttp://www.libconf.com/2011/10/19/engaging-your-community-with-tablets-and-social-computing/

Findings

Memo 2:

Blogs and tweets tell why librarians/libraries adopt and implement tablets in library services.

Most recurring theme: compatibility

27

Dempsey

Attending the session ‘Repositioning with Tablets, Social Media, & Outreach’ states:

The first speaker, Tim Donahue from Montana State University, discussed what tablets are

being used for in his library (roving reference, QR code reading, & brainstorming sessions) and their implications (since they’re easier to

read from than to type on, they are “ideal platforms” for library content consumption).

compatibility

28

Oliver Obst comments about iPads:

'Since the end of June, an iPad has been in everyday use at my own library. It has proved highly efficient for information presentation at

a workshop. It is a mobile device for convenient and playful use of information of

any kind. And it is precisely this very combination, mobile, comfortable, playful etc.

that explains its great advantages over the alternatives: Smartphone, laptop, EeePC,

Kindle.'

Relative advantage?

29

Press release on the ‘Learn to integrate iPads and tablets' ALA

TechSource Workshop (October, 2011) that was tweeted

The organisers of the workshop felt that tablets offered a 'major potential for library services, including the ability to increase

productivity and improve ... library’s programs in such areas as reference services, collection

management, and library instruction.'

compatibility

CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

31

Conclusions

Study confirms that

• academic librarians discuss + disseminate innovations in online channels.

• libraries adopt technologies based on comparison with other technologies available to libraries.

32

Conclusions

Study also confirms that

Academic libraries' adoption of tablets is related to their adoption of e-resources and circulation of e-books.

33

Conclusions

Study also confirms that

academic librarians adopt technologies and use their prior experiences with implementing other technologies to guide them in how to implement a new technology.

34

Conclusions

Finally,

though generalization from this subset is not justifiable, the findings do suggest that Rogers' (2003) concept of compatibility may be most applicable to studying innovation in academic libraries.

Recommendation

further studies:

• investigate whether ‘compatibility’ & ‘relative advantage’ are applicable to the adoption, implementation & diffusion of other technologies in libraries.

• analyse blogs and tweets for discussion of the social and economic tensions of tablet adoption in academic libraries.

36

The end

Questions?

Comments?

Criticism/Critiques?