This document provides 10 steps for libraries to provide mobile services on a low budget. It recommends making websites mobile friendly, testing catalog mobile usability, providing database and ebook apps, using texting and social media, implementing location-based services, developing custom apps, offering in-library mobile services, marketing to mobile users, and supporting staff mobile use. The document contains specific app and platform recommendations as well as tips for overcoming feature limitations and budget constraints when developing library mobile services.
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Quick and easy mobile library services
1. Quick and Easy Library Mobile Services Sarah Houghton-Jan Digital Futures Manager, San Jose Public Library Author, LibrarianInBlack.net
2. why mobile? 80% of Americans adults own a cell phone By 2015 U.S. ownership of smart phones will be 162 million - 2/3 of all mobile handsets 43% own MP3 players stats on iPad - 500,000 (+ watch Android tablets)
3. Jolie O’Dell, Mashable, on the Morgan Stanley study: http://mashable.com/2010/04/13/mobile-web-stats/
4. Even if you don’t use a smart phone, recognize that your users do.
6. 10 steps to mobile on the cheap mobile on the cheap
7. #1: your website is your website mobile-friendly? find out at W3C’s mobileOK Checker create a mobile version of your homepage (or whole site) and a mobile services webpage too
8. is your website mobile-friendly? find out at W3C’s mobileOK Checker find out at W3C’s mobileOK Checker
9. create a mobile version of your homepage (or whole site) w/ only mobile-friendly services get advice at “Mobile Friendly Library Websites” by Fleur Helsingor at the University of California, Berkeley ( http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/digicoll/libraryweb/mobile-websites.pdf ) ) )
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11. #2: your catalog test catalog’s mobile friendliness PASS - SOPAC, Evergreen, Koha FAIL - Innovative, Voyager, SirsiDynix see a pattern?
12. does your vendor offer a mobile add-on or application? cost/free? watch for feature & functionality loss watch for feature & functionality loss
14. #3: databases mobile apps and/or mobile-friendly pages EBSCO (page) Gale (app) others check with all vendors watch for feature & functionality loss
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16. #4: ebooks eAudioBooks: MP3s/DRM-laden formats eBooks: PDF, Mobi Overdrive eBook app who has missed the boat? check with all vendors
17. #5: reference text messaging - AIM hack, LibraryH3lp Twitter - “send us a question with @SanJoseLibrary”
18. IM - free IM clients (Meebo, Trillian) + individual accounts (AIM, GoogleTalk, etc.) web chat - nope web chat - nope
19. #6: social media Facebook many mobile FB apps post updates, photos, video, & events
20. Twitter many mobile Twitter apps post regular updates post regular updates post regular updates
21. #7: location-based services check-in sites - Foursquare, Gowalla(entries for library, tips, trips, contests) augmented reality browsers - Layar, Wikitude (campus or library tours, local history tours & scavenger hunts) Air Painter (contests, scavenger hunts) geo-location + data + fun
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23. #8: tier two stuff: apps Boopsie - customized mobile library application (Santa Clara County Library) custom iPhone or Android app (D.C. Public)
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25. tier two stuff: in-library services in-library services walk-in mobile message center (dok) library mobile charging stations library mobile media download stations
26. #9: marketing mobile market mobile with mobile start an opt-in list for library texts group texting app “textPlus” buy ads in relevant apps (local, library-like) contests for signing up, mayorships, etc.
27. #10: supporting staff use of mobile ensure mobile access to email/calendar train staff on mobile access to library stuff encourage staff use of mobile to do work buy mobile devices for staff to use/train on 5 apps for every librarian to know: WorldCat, Aldiko, Google Translate, ThinkingSpace, & Foursquare