9. What we’ll discuss today
• The changing book landscape
• Technology going mobile
• The continued importance of social
• How this affects circ departments
10. What I Will Talk About
• The Messenger Public Library and the
Highwood Public Library experiences
(the small library perspective)
• Briefly discuss the eBook market
• Change
11. What I will Not Discuss
• The HarperCollins Issue
• Nitty-gritty details
• IE where do you get free eBooks?
• What eReader is best
12. Pulse of the Room
• Who lends eReaders?
• Who has Overdrive?
• Who has Freegal?
13. Yes the eBook and eReader market is changing faster than
the speed of light. Don’t get frustrated trying to keep up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonicboom/5586444769/
14. TOO MANY OPTIONS
WHICH WAY DO WE GO?
http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/the-down-side-of-options/
23. Our Journey Began with
a Kindle
• Like most libraries, we purchased a
Kindle (June, 2010) for staff
development and exploration
• We added a few titles (mostly free ones)
• More than 66% of staff took the Kindle
home for a week to play around with it
26. The Looming Question
http://www.genxrising.com/uploaded_images/Looming_Threat-784103.jpg
27. Legality
• We notified Amazon of our intent in
writing
• We talked to our lawyer
• But I am not a lawyer, seek out legal
advice
• Determine what risk the library is
willing to carry
28. Policies, Procedures &
Varia
• We created:
• Circulation Policy
• Parental Permission Form
• Circulation Procedures
• Brochure
• Title list in Excel
31. Eli’s School of Policy
Formation
• We don’t need a No @#$% in the Sink
Policy
• What do your policies really say?
• Suspicion, paranoia
• Policies are important
• Err on the side of positivity
32. Policies
• Don’t recreate the wheel
• Borrow from someone else
• http://theunquietlibrary.libguides.com/
kindles is a great resources
33.
34. Tips
• Both the Nook and the Kindle can be
deregistered
• The Nook has a return to factory setting
which is important for Overdrive
libraries
41. Kindle
• The Kindle currently has 10 holds on it
• And that’s with relatively little
publicity
• Patrons have asked us about why we
bought the Kindle if it doesn’t work
with Overdrive but we can now say it
soon will.
• The patrons have been VERY positive
about the eReaders
83. Circ Staff
• Let’s face it, the circulation staff is the
face of the library. The bulk of patron-
staff interactions occur at the circulation
desk.
• How do you duplicate this at the
library’s virtual desk(s)?
• Do you need to?
98. Thank you
Stay in touch:
Toby: theanalogdivide@gmail.com
twitter @theanalogdivide
www.theanalogdivide.com
Tony: anthony.molar@gmail.com
Twitter: @infoactivist
www.informationactivist.com
Editor's Notes
Introduction \n\nRole as VSC\nMy focus: Holistic approach to integrating technology w/library service\nLibrary as the last true public space\nImportance of conversation\nWe need to build that same community online, and that requires effort from all departments.\n\nThis is important, because everything is changing.\n
SPL circa 1960\n\nWhat things do we associate with this area? \n\nCard catalog\nQuiet\nLess comfort\n
Now – what has changed?\n\nMore seating options\nNo card catalog\nMore gadgets\nMore noise\nMore languages\nMore digital objects\n\nLess physical circulations\nMore self-service\n\nMore opportunities to connect\n
Now – what has changed?\n\nMore seating options\nNo card catalog\nMore gadgets\nMore noise\nMore languages\nMore digital objects\n\nLess physical circulations\nMore self-service\n\nMore opportunities to connect\n
Now – what has changed?\n\nMore seating options\nNo card catalog\nMore gadgets\nMore noise\nMore languages\nMore digital objects\n\nLess physical circulations\nMore self-service\n\nMore opportunities to connect\n
Skokie’s story: AMH, self checks\n\nSo, with fewer physical circs and more people checking items out on their own, who has a reduced workload?\n\nDidn’t think so. \n\nCirc departments have more to do than ever, and technology plays a major role\nAll of these changes will require staff to get more involved with all aspects of the library. But it has to happen in an organic fashion.\n
Example: Setup on the west side\n\nIf designed as a replacement, it’s going to rub a lot of people the wrong way.\n\n(AMH: first question on grand opening: “Is this going to cost jobs?”)\n\nPeople like the human interaction – especially if given a choice.\n
Merging the two:\n\nPatrons have the convenience, but staff can still build the connections.\n\nAs we continue on this conversation today, I urge all of you to think of how our human services and our digital services can complement one another. \n
Rules: ask questions\nWe want to hear your examples. Let’s learn from one another.\nLet’s do this.\n
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OK, let’s take a look at mobile phones. Of course, the changes in this realm have been fast and furious. \n\nStory – LSTA grant\nEven now, it’s tough to keep up, and tablets only compound the issue further. I’m guessing some of you have been a part of all this.\n\nLet’s see where you are. 83 percent of the US adult population has some kind of mobile phone. \nWho has upgraded to a smartphone in the last year? (33% of US adults) Who uses a mobile device for greater Internet access? (84/15) Who has downloaded an app? (69 smart/4 everyone) Who takes photos? (92 smart/59 everyone) Who texts? (73% of all cell users) Have you ever launched a bird in a pig’s general direction? (64/14 play games) Have you ever pretended to be on your phone to avoid an awkward situation? (13%)\n\nWho still uses their phone to make calls? (I used less than 60 minutes last month. I used a GB of data.)\n\nThe ways in which people use their phones to do more than make phone calls will continue to affect libraries. And that includes the circulation desk. \n
Let’s start with one that’s likely to be near and dear to many of you. \n\nReward cards\nMovie/event tickets\nBoarding passes\n\nIssues: \nCan your scanners even do this? \nReflective screens bouncing the laser off of them\nCCD scanner vs. trad scanner\n\nRules: \nIs it possible to “spoof” a card?\n\nWhat are the risks?\nWhat are the risks of limiting this stuff?\nWill this stop the practice entirely?\n\nHere’s the other thing: Someone will always find a way to do something. Why not encourage it?\nEx.: Redlaser- custom URL\n
One such example is QR codes. Do a search for "QR code generator" and you'll find one of these fairly easily. You can then "embed" additional information - additional book recommendations, perhaps, or invitations for the patrons to review what they just checked out - into the physical object itself. Another option is a prototype Google app called Goggles, which uses the camera on your phone to perform searches. This has been available for Android phones for a while, and just launched for the iPhone.\n  \nIf Goggles ever releases an API, think of how we could feed such visual searches into our catalog. These are both examples of "augmented reality" - using relatively powerful mobile computing devices to embed additional information on real-world objects.\n
\n
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Google pouring huge amounts of R&D money into voice search.\n\nAndroid phones - can search, text, dial, navigate through voice commands. \n\n(still a work in progress, as I've quickly learned.\nPaul F. Tompkins)\n
Here's another example, currently in use at an Apple Store near you. EasyPay is a hardware add-on for the iPod Touch that turns it into a portable point-of-purchase. The onboard cardswipe and barcode scanner eliminate the need for a separate cash register. \n\nCan you imagine the potential for that roving reference we keep trying to get off the ground? Not only could we find items for the patron, we could check the materials out to them right then and there. \n
What can you do for now? In addition to working on your regular website, I would suggest getting your hands on one of these smart devices. You don't have to go out and buy one - see if your coworker will let you try it out, or simply go to Best Buy. You can also experiment with creating QR codes of your own. Try embedding links to your existing online booklists, and take it from there.\n
How many of you are active on:\nFacebook?\nTwitter?\nBlogs?\nGood Reads?\n
\n
Here's an example, which we totally ripped off from the Topeka-Shawnee county library. \nReference a la King. \n  \nTSCPL - find the places where your users get stuck, and create the opportunity for human contact.  \nCatalog most frequently visited spot on the website. \nThis turns one of the most passive sites into a service desk.\n200+ quality transactions a month\nOne conversation may not tell us much, but over time we can identify greater pinch points.\nBut the catalog – or even the website – isn't the only place we can establish this virtual service desk.\n
Actually have to talk to people.\nInitial awkwardness: most don't reply at all\nOwn the awkwardness! This is memorable, and can create an in. They don't expect to see service desks on TW, or their blogs. But you can create them.\n\n- search terms: people in your area who need your help, but don't know it yet. Full reference interviews\n- As you become established, others will ask you questions\n- As you become established, people will also air grievances. Be candid, and don't burn bridges. \nKRKring/John Krupa connection\n
Actually have to talk to people.\nInitial awkwardness: most don't reply at all\nOwn the awkwardness! This is memorable, and can create an in. They don't expect to see service desks on TW, or their blogs. But you can create them.\n\n- search terms: people in your area who need your help, but don't know it yet. Full reference interviews\n- As you become established, others will ask you questions\n- As you become established, people will also air grievances. Be candid, and don't burn bridges. \nKRKring/John Krupa connection\n
Actually have to talk to people.\nInitial awkwardness: most don't reply at all\nOwn the awkwardness! This is memorable, and can create an in. They don't expect to see service desks on TW, or their blogs. But you can create them.\n\n- search terms: people in your area who need your help, but don't know it yet. Full reference interviews\n- As you become established, others will ask you questions\n- As you become established, people will also air grievances. Be candid, and don't burn bridges. \nKRKring/John Krupa connection\n
Actually have to talk to people.\nInitial awkwardness: most don't reply at all\nOwn the awkwardness! This is memorable, and can create an in. They don't expect to see service desks on TW, or their blogs. But you can create them.\n\n- search terms: people in your area who need your help, but don't know it yet. Full reference interviews\n- As you become established, others will ask you questions\n- As you become established, people will also air grievances. Be candid, and don't burn bridges. \nKRKring/John Krupa connection\n
This ongoing effort creates multiple opportunities to be excellent in public. \nToot your own horn!\nX-posts\nStats\nStuff to share with the Powers That Be\n\nRecurring features: Book sharing, stump the libn\nShows what you're capable of\nGives people something to look forward to \n
\n
The snowball effect works with your own content. \nBlogs/Flickr/video\nover time, can say “look how much we’ve done!”\nEventually becomes an outboard brain\nFlickr visitors go back and revisit programs\n\nReminder that you don't have to do everything at once\nExplaining everything can be overwhelming \nGradually chasing the long tail enables users to discover services at their own pace.\n\nThis also allows you to introduce things your patrons may not necessarily be ready for.\n
The snowball effect works with your own content. \nBlogs/Flickr/video\nover time, can say “look how much we’ve done!”\nEventually becomes an outboard brain\nFlickr visitors go back and revisit programs\n\nReminder that you don't have to do everything at once\nExplaining everything can be overwhelming \nGradually chasing the long tail enables users to discover services at their own pace.\n\nThis also allows you to introduce things your patrons may not necessarily be ready for.\n
