opportunities for mobile enhanced libraries services and collections (jhu libraries assembly)

Opportunities for Mobile Enhanced Library Services and Collections

Tito Sierra, NCSU LibrariesJHU Libraries Assembly

May 21, 2010

Outline

• The Mobile Opportunity• Mobile Library Projects at NCSU• NCSU Libraries Mobile• The WolfWalk Project

• Issues to Consider When Developing Mobile Library Services and Collections

The Mobile Opportunity

The Mobile Opportunity

“In the developed world, mobile computing has become an indispensable part of day-to-day life in the workforce, and a key driver is the increasing ease and speed with which it is possible to access the Internet from virtually anywhere in the world via the ever-expanding cellular network.”

— The Horizon Report 2010 Edition(http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2010/)

The Mobile Opportunity

How prevalent is mobile internet access?

The Mobile Opportunity

How prevalent is mobile internet access?

The Mobile Opportunity

How prevalent is mobile internet access?

Approximately 15% to 20% of the U.S. population access the Internet on a

mobile device on a daily basis.

The Mobile Opportunity

How big is the market for mobile library services?

The Mobile Opportunity

How big is the market for mobile library services?

Unclear at the moment.

Probably small, but likely to grow.

Mobile Projects at NCSU

NCSU Libraries Mobile

NCSU Libraries Mobile

• A suite of library services

• Optimized to 3 tiers of mobile devices

• Content delivery framework based on MIT Mobile Web

“MobiLIB” at NCSU (2007)

NCSU Libraries Mobile (2010)

1. Locations & Hours2. Computer Availability3. Search

• Catalog• Summon

4. Ask Us5. Room Reservations6. GroupFinder7. News & Events8. Webcams9. WolfWalk10. Reserves (coming soon)

Guiding Principles

Don’t reproduce the library website—distill it to what users might actually use in a

mobile use context.

Guiding Principles

Save the time of the library user.

Guiding Principles

Mobile apps are a new thing, so be receptive to new ideas.

NCSU Libraries Mobile Demo

http://m.lib.ncsu.edu

Locations & Hours

Computer Availability

Catalog Search

Ask Us

Webcams

Implementation Notes

Nearly all of our mobile library services are re-skinned versions of existing web

applications.

Implementation Notes

Reuse of existing infrastructure lowered development costs and rapid

prototyping possible.

The WolfWalk Project

The WolfWalk Project

• A historical guide to NC State campus

• University Archives Photo Collection

• Location-aware• Two versions• Mobile website• iPhone App

WolfWalk Concept

Make it easy for the NC State campus community to learn about the history of

campus while on campus.

WolfWalk Concept

Jason Casden, NCSU Libraries

Todd Kosmerick and Adam Berenbak, NCSU Libraries

Jason Casden, NCSU Libraries

The WolfWalk Project Demo

http://m.lib.ncsu.edu/wolfwalk

Location-aware Collections

How else can the location-aware concept be applied to library collections?

Location-aware Collections

Issues to Consider When Developing Mobile Library Services and Collections

Basic Questions

• What value does the “mobile” aspect of the project add to the user experience with a library service or collection?

• What incentives do users have to access this content on a mobile device, rather than via existing channels?

Local Factors

• How prevalent is mobile internet and app usage in your user community?

• Are there different patterns of use between undergraduate and graduates?

• Are the mobile opportunities unique to your campus (e.g., medical reference)?

Implementation Choices

Do you build a platform specific “native app” (e.g., iPhone App, Android App), a

mobile website that works across a range of devices, or both?

When to Make a Native App

• Charging for it• Creating a game• Using specific locations*• Using cameras• Using accelerometers• Accessing the

filesystems• Offline users

The Case for Mobile Web Apps

“I believe that unless your application meets one of these native application criteria, you should not create a native application, but should instead focus on building a mobile web application.”

— Brian Fling, “Mobile Design and Development”

The Case for iPhone Apps

“I am writing to tell you that I think usage and therefore your impact will be minimal if you only have a mobile website. You need to port your website to apps for the Apple and Google App Store. People spend most of their time accessing data on the web through apps.”

— Unsolicited feedback from a WolfWalk user

Shifting Landscape

• Mobile technology is changing rapidly, making it difficult to plan for what’s next

• New standards and technology are unevenly distributed across platforms

• New interaction models emerging• Location-based Services (e.g.,

Foursquare)• Augmented Reality

Closing Thoughts

If you plan to work in the mobile space, be prepared to experiment.

Closing Thoughts

If you plan to work in the mobile space, be prepared to experiment.

The lack of prevalent models makes this work both challenging and exciting.

Thank you for your time!

Tito Sierra

tito_sierra@ncsu.edu

More Information

NCSU Libraries Mobile:http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/dli/projects/librariesmobile

The WolfWalk Project:http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/dli/projects/wolfwalk