Why m-Libraries? Making the Case for Innovation

1. Why m-Libraries?Making the Case for Innovation Joan K. Lippincott Coalition for Networked Information BCRLG Meeting Vancouver, Canada June 25, 2009

2. Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) • Founded in 1990 by ARL and EDUCAUSE • Mission: accelerate progress in digital information related to research and education • 200+ member institutions • Executive Director Clifford Lynch • www.cni.org

3. CNI’s Program • Developing and Managing Networked Information Content • Transforming Organizations, Professions and Individuals • Building Technology, Standards and Infrastructure

4. Keeping up with CNI • Subscribe to cni-announce • RSS feed • Links to podcasts, videos, and articles by Cliff and Joan • New developments • Videos of selected Task Force meeting sessions • Interactive web-based talks

5. And now, to the main topic http://www.flickr.com/photos/chanc/1389379381/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/libraryman/2048264201/

6. Newswoman Cokie Roberts - American Libraries , May 2009 • “…journalists depend on libraries and librarians for information and facts. The library of today might be in your cell phone instead of going to the building… but we need the people in the building to get it to the cell phones…The people actually doing the work and the research are still in libraries.” http://www.flickr.com/photos/ala_members/3620128740/

7. Will your library meet the challenge? • Provision of content configured for mobile devices • Provision of services for mobile device users • Promotion of content and services - so potential users are aware http://www.flickr.com/photos/olliesphotos/333193604/

8. No. of Key Institutional Web Services Made Available for Handheld Devices • 44% of higher education institutions said “None” • 40% of higher education institutions said “A Few” • 40% identified “mobile communications” as an area of importance in their technology strategic plan • “Spreading the Word: Messaging and Communications in Higher Education,” EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, 2009

9. The Report Concludes: • “our research reveals a troubling lack of preparation by higher education to handle the growing demand for mobile services.” • “Spreading the Word: Messaging and Communications in Higher Education,” EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, 2009

10. What About Your Library’s Strategic Plan and Services? • Are content and services for mobile devices identified as a high priority? • Do you currently offer content configured for mobile devices, e.g. e-books for laptops? • Do you currently offer content configured for mobile devices, e.g. phones, Kindle? • Do you offer information about the library and its collections configured for mobile phones?

11. Making the Case • Responding to user community work style • Extending access to content and services • Playing a role in institutional policy and technology infrastructure development http://www.flickr.com/photos/minifig/1222891287/

12. Responding to Users: The Environment is Changing • Moving from communication to information devices • Major universities have a presence in iTunes U. • Many researchers use mobile devices for data collection in the field • Nielsen reports a 52% increase in mobile subscribers watching video on a mobile phone 2008-9

13. Responding to Users • The mobilelife report says that 94% of UK youth own a mobile phone • http://www.mobilelife2007.co.uk/ • ECAR reports that 66% of students own an Internet-capable phone but most don’t use it for Internet because of expense…this WILL change • http://www.educause.edu/ECAR/TheECARStudyofUndergraduateStu/163283 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericrice/3351068601/

14. Char Booth - Ohio U. User Survey • First - understand technologies and your user community • Environmental scan of emerging technologies • Assessment of local user community • http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=2704

15. Extending access to content and services • Many useful information services are available • Google Book Search • OCLC WorldCat • Inc. no. of reference works, monographs, textbooks are configured for mobile devices http://www.flickr.com/photos/jblyberg/2073940586/

16. Scholarly Resources are Emerging: arXiv for the iPhone

17. Many libraries have prototype services…we can learn from their experience • Reference available via chat, SMS • Information literacy podcast tutorials • Clickers in information literacy classes • Catalog, patron record, call number, computer availability information available for mobile phones • Provision of ILL content on Kindles • Loan of mobile devices

18. And we will see new services emerge… • QR codes can link locations, books, etc. to web pages with additional information, links to social networking sites, or phone nos. • Ramsden, A., Jordan, L., 2009. Are students ready for QR codes? Findings from a student survey at the University of Bath. Working Paper. University of Bath. http://opus.bath.ac.uk/12782/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocreatr/2211459923/

19. Promoting Services:Arizona State U. Library Channel

20. Promoting Services:Western Illinois U. Libraries • Text Me service • In the online catalog, users can click on “text me this call no.,” input a cell phone no., and the call no. is sent to the user’s phone • Promoted through video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yjlz1zZ1cU

21. A Seat at the Table: Policy and Infrastructure • There are important institutional issues, not just library issues • Need to work with IT and others to keep abreast of new developments http://www.flickr.com/photos/truebluetitan/2066055069/

22. How Will Libraries Interface with These Initiatives? • At Indiana U., business grad students are offered discounts on Blackberry smartphones • At U. Missouri, journalism students are required to buy an Iphone or Ipod Touch • As reported in Chronicle of Higher Ed, May 22, 2009

23. Academic/Library/IT Collaboration • Physician Assistant Graduate Program • 2007 Smartphone pilot working with IT and Library; now full implementation • 3 key applications including Merck Manual

24. Some Institutional Policy and Infrastructure Issues • What platforms will be supported; will any devices be required? • Who will make these decisions for the institution? • Who will provide technical support for users? • Who will select, license, and fund content for mobile devices? • Will this give your institution a competitive advantage?

25. Now Is the Time… • To study your local environment and users • To institute pilot projects • To participate in institutional planning • To promote awareness of your efforts to your user community • To disseminate information about your successes and problems • To fully participate in the mobile revolution

26. Thank You!Resources Lippincott, Joan. “Mobile Technologies, Mobile Users.” ARL: A Bimonthly Report. No. 261, Dec., 2008. http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/br/br261.shtml Sheehan, Mark and Judith Pirani. “Spreading the Word: Messaging And Communications in Higher Education.” Boulder, CO: EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Vol. 2, 2009. www.educause.edu/ecar Note: All photos used from flickr have Creative Commons licenses Contact: joan@cni.org