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

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 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

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

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 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

And now, to the main topic

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.”

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 Provision of content configured for mobile devices Provision of services for mobile device users Promotion of content and services - so potential users are aware

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, % 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 “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? 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 style Extending access to content and services Playing a role in institutional policy and technology infrastructure development Responding to user community work style Extending access to content and services Playing a role in institutional policy and technology infrastructure development

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 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

Responding to Users The mobilelife report says that 94% of UK youth own a mobile phone 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 StudyofUndergraduateStu/ The mobilelife report says that 94% of UK youth own a mobile phone 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 StudyofUndergraduateStu/

Char Booth - Ohio U. User Survey First - understand technologies and your user community Environmental scan of emerging technologies Assessment of local user community First - understand technologies and your user community Environmental scan of emerging technologies Assessment of local user community

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 Many useful information services are available Google Book Search OCLC WorldCat Inc. no. of reference works, monographs, textbooks are configured for mobile devices

Scholarly Resources are Emerging: arXiv for the iPhone

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 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

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., Are students ready for QR codes? Findings from a student survey at the University of Bath. Working Paper. University of Bath. 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., Are students ready for QR codes? Findings from a student survey at the University of Bath. Working Paper. University of Bath.

Promoting Services: Arizona State U. Library Channel

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 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

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

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 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

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 Physician Assistant Graduate Program 2007 Smartphone pilot working with IT and Library; now full implementation 3 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? 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 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 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

Thank You! Resources Lippincott, Joan. “Mobile Technologies, Mobile Users.” ARL: A Bimonthly Report. No. 261, Dec., Sheehan, Mark and Judith Pirani. “Spreading the Word: Messaging And Communications in Higher Education.” Boulder, CO: EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, Vol. 2, Contact: Note: All photos used from flickr have Creative Commons licenses