Why m-Libraries?Making the Case for

InnovationJoan K. LippincottCoalition for Networked Information

BCRLG MeetingVancouver, Canada

June 25, 2009

Coalition for Networked Information (CNI)

Founded in 1990 by ARL and EDUCAUSEMission: accelerate progress in digital information related to research and education200+ member institutionsExecutive Director Clifford Lynchwww.cni.org

CNI’s Program

Developing and Managing Networked Information ContentTransforming Organizations, Professions and IndividualsBuilding Technology, Standards and Infrastructure

Keeping up with CNI

Subscribe to cni-announceRSS feedLinks to podcasts, videos, and articles by Cliff and JoanNew developments

Videos of selected Task Force meeting sessionsInteractive web-based talks

And now, to the main topic

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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.”

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Will your library meet the challenge?

Provision of content configured for mobile devicesProvision of services for mobile device usersPromotion of content and services - so potential users are aware

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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

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

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?

Making the Case

Responding to user community work styleExtending access to content and servicesPlaying a role in institutional policy and technology infrastructure development

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Responding to Users: The Environment is Changing

Moving from communication to information devicesMajor universities have a presence in iTunes U.Many researchers use mobile devices for data collection in the fieldNielsen reports a 52% increase in mobile subscribers watching video on a mobile phone 2008-9

Responding to Users

The mobilelife report says that 94% of UK youth own a mobile phonehttp://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 changehttp://www.educause.edu/ECAR/TheECARStudyofUndergraduateStu/163283

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Char Booth - Ohio U. User Survey

First - understand technologies and your user communityEnvironmental scan of emerging technologiesAssessment of local user communityhttp://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=2704

Extending access to content and services

Many useful information services are available

Google Book SearchOCLC WorldCat

Inc. no. of reference works, monographs, textbooks are configured for mobile devices

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Scholarly Resources are Emerging: arXiv for the iPhone

Many libraries have prototype services…we can learn from their experience

Reference available via chat, SMSInformation literacy podcast tutorialsClickers in information literacy classesCatalog, patron record, call number, computer availability information available for mobile phonesProvision of ILL content on KindlesLoan of mobile devices

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/

Promoting Services:Arizona State U. Library Channel

Promoting Services:Western Illinois U. Libraries

Text Me serviceIn 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 phonePromoted through video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yjlz1zZ1cU

A Seat at the Table: Policy and Infrastructure

There are important institutional issues, not just library issuesNeed to work with IT and others to keep abreast of new developments

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How Will Libraries Interface with These Initiatives?

At Indiana U., business grad students are offered discounts on Blackberry smartphonesAt U. Missouri, journalism students are required to buy an Iphone or Ipod TouchAs reported in Chronicle of Higher Ed, May 22, 2009

Academic/Library/IT Collaboration

Physician Assistant Graduate Program2007 Smartphone pilot working with IT and Library; now full implementation3 key applications including Merck Manual

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?

Now Is the Time…

To study your local environment and usersTo institute pilot projectsTo participate in institutional planningTo promote awareness of your efforts to your user communityTo disseminate information about your successes and problemsTo fully participate in the mobile revolution

Thank You!ResourcesLippincott, Joan. “Mobile Technologies, Mobile Users.” ARL: ABimonthly Report. No. 261, Dec., 2008.http://www.arl.org/resources/pubs/br/br261.shtml

Sheehan, Mark and Judith Pirani. “Spreading the Word: MessagingAnd Communications in Higher Education.” Boulder, CO: EDUCAUSECenter for Applied Research, Vol. 2, 2009.www.educause.edu/ecar

Contact: joan@cni.org

Note: All photos used from flickr have Creative Commons licenses