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Have Technology, Will Travel. Mobile Technology for Library Staff Jeff Steely Assistant Director for Client Services Baylor University Libraries. Baylor University Located in Waco, TX Largest Baptist university in the world 11,600 undergraduates 2,000 graduate/professional students
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Have Technology, Will Travel Mobile Technology for Library Staff Jeff Steely Assistant Director for Client Services Baylor University Libraries
Baylor University Located in Waco, TX Largest Baptist university in the world 11,600 undergraduates 2,000 graduate/professional students BU Libraries Central Libraries Several special libraries and collections ~2.2 million volumes Academic technology personnel integrated into structure as “Electronic Library” Our Mission: Connecting people with ideas in support of learning, scholarship, research, and academic distinction. Context
Available resources Books Desk space Quiet Client needs Staffed service point Why Work at a Desk?
Why Work at a Desk? • The computer sitting on the desk • The network cable to which the computer is attached
Portable devices + wireless network Mobile technology as an answer? = Freedom?
Connecting people with ideas… Connect in new ways? Better service for clients? Connecting people with ideas (with the staff available)… More efficient use of staff time? Why Work Away from the Desk?
Laptops –Individual Productivity • Conference presentations/participation • Meetings • Committee work • Work at home • Work on the road
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Student Orientation
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Road Shows for Faculty
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Remote “office hours” • Student life complexes • Classroom in Honors College dorm? • Departmental offices • Departmental computer labs • Student union • Any place near where students study or faculty do research
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Database Cleanup
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Inventory
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Inventory
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Scanning in the stacks • Prototype: • Cyril Oberlander – Portland State University
Laptops –Departmental Uses • Scanning in the stacks • Prototype: • Cyril Oberlander – Portland State University • Commercial version • DLSG
PDA’s –Individual Productivity • Calendar • Address Book • Email • Web • Solitaire anyone?
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Can you take the “P” out of “PDA”??? • Inhibits some useful functions (email) • Irritation of re-entering passwords for wireless connection • If it’s not personal, when do you find the time to learn the interfaces?
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Roving reference assistance? • Challenges: • Wireless signal & log-in process • Input mechanisms • Staff familiarity and attitudes • Trying to show client how to do something online • Kansas City Public Library • “Planning for Wireless in Kansas City” • http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA286651
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Understand user questions/needs
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Pull Lists • Interlibrary Services • Reserves • Circulation Searches • Lost • Missing • New Holds
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Carrel Checks
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Carrel Checks
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Inventory/shelf reading • Laptops – 2 person operation • Next phase – PDA’s – 1 person
PDA’s –Departmental Uses • Inventory • Future – ILS interface designed for PDA’s? • Innovative’s “Wireless Workstation” in development
Tablet PC’s • Roving reference • Bigger screen allows client to follow along • Heavier, so more difficult to carry around
Specialized PDA’s • In stacks processing of ILL requests • PDA with barcode reader, wireless, infrared (IR) • Bookstraps printed on portable, IR-capable printer • Receipt and shelving of shelf-ready materials?
Wireless VoIP • Staff always available • Contact someone by: • Name • Location • Location and Skills • Coverage area under our control • not dependent on cell phone tower signals • Integrates with land line phones • Not as bulky as 2-way radios • Make referrals “cool,” not “failure”
Every staff member a service point? • See images used during presentation: • http://dev-bywater.media.mit.edu/wiki-files/borglab/MIThril-vest-small.jpg • http://www.media.mit.edu/Wearables/mithril/MIThril-diag-small.jpg • http://www.media.mit.edu/Wearables/mithril/mithril.jpg
Contact Information Jeff A. Steely Assistant Director for Client Services Baylor University Libraries One Bear Place, #97146 1301 S 2nd St Waco TX 76798-7146 Email: Jeffrey_Steely@baylor.edu Phone: 254.710.2464 Fax: 254.710.1710