Comment by Gary Green on October 13, 2011 at 7:12am

I posted this entry about "Mobilising the library website" on my blog a couple of weeks ago, which might be of interest. I was thinking about what a mobile enabled library site for my library service might contain and how I might want to achieve that.

Comment by Roxann on October 28, 2011 at 3:01pm

Gary's link is worth taking a look at!  Your ideas will help all of us!

Thanks again!  Please post comments!!  Mobilze the Library!!!

Comment by Roxann on November 1, 2011 at 8:25am

How do we want our students, faculty and patrons to understand our "mobile library". Take on the perspective of a student:  " What will I be looking for in a mobile site?"  Many libraries 'advertise' their mobile site on their home page. 

What do you think can be other ways to promote your mobile library? Twitter, Facebook?

  Does a mobile library have multiple meanings?  Which meanings do you embrace for your library?

Comment by Gary Green on November 21, 2011 at 12:48pm

I also attended CILIP's RFID in Libraries conference a couple of weeks ago and a couple of the speakers were talking about Near Field Communication in smart phones as a way to develop library services. Here are a few points I picked up on regarding this.

• Can buy smart tickets with phone.
• My phone could be used for payment, eg Use Google Wallet? As money? Saves carrying credit cards etc.
• Handling cash costs money – libraries could save money through users using NFC and ‘wallet’ software.
• Maybe use the phone as a library card.
• NFC use in libraries – user authentication; secure fine payments; age restricted stock use; peer-to-peer communications; book issues
• Access digital content from the item you’re looking at.
• Pay for services via e-voucher.
• Get e-voucher downloaded automatically to phone as soon as you walk into library. Download 3 e-vouchers and get a free DVD loan!
• Mobile phone use inside library – checkout; notification of reserved items & events
• Phone use outside library – capture market share (scan barcode in shop & see if it’s in library); library info eg location/times; events
• Access online catalogue
• Provide paperless receipts
• Access via qr-codes
• If the smart phone is used as a library device, the users provide the technology to access it – library services don’t have to provide it for them.
• Paul Chartier highlights that once smart phone moves from an rfid emulator/reader to an rfid writer you have to be careful with security.

Comment by Roxann on November 23, 2011 at 9:05am

Thanks Gary,

Developing quality library services are extremely important for our smart phone devices... as you mention in your post!  Great ideas... I especially liked buying smart tickets with the iPhone.

I didn't see this option as I have just returned from LA, and San Diego.

I will try this option for Delta for boarding soon! 

iPhone as a Boarding Pass

Also, using the iPhone as a library card  is something I would opt in for too!

So many things to try and so little time!!!

Comment by Gary Green on November 24, 2011 at 10:45am

I thought the group might be interested in this newly funded JISC project around mobile library services being run in the UK. http://www.m-libraries.info/ It also includes a survey http://svy.mk/mlibs1 , which is open to all.

Comment by Roxann on May 2, 2012 at 9:12am

Defining what is not a mobile device? The desktop that resides underneath or on top of your desk- usually weighing in over 10 pounds?

Comment by Gary Green on May 2, 2012 at 10:00am

I'm attending a couple of events focusing on mobile library services over the next couple of weeks.

• UKeiG Training: Developing a strategy for mobile
• Mobile technologies in libraries: information sharing event

The Twitter hashtag for the 2nd event is #mlibs. I'll probably tweet, but will also do a write-up for both of them.

Comment by Roxann on May 3, 2012 at 7:34am

Garry Thanks!  I look forward to your updates!!!

R

Comment by Roxann on May 3, 2012 at 3:45pm

Using mobile devices are great for librarians... our archivist is using an iPad instead of being tethered to a desktop in the special books collection room.

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