This study examined how seven major database vendors functioned on iPad tablets. The researchers tested four areas of functionality: presentation of pages, access to multimedia content, database-specific tools, and ability to email full text. Overall, databases worked well on iPads, though some had issues with emailing full text or using Flash or Java features. While most databases did not require separate apps, apps from vendors could be useful for instruction. The researchers concluded that with some workarounds, databases and iPads can generally have good functionality for student and instructional use.

1. The Mobile Playground:
Can Databases and iPads Play Nice?
Kelly Meadow & Ngoc-Yen Tran
University of Oregon Libraries

2. Thanks
This study was completed as part of a Summer Reference Internship at the
University of Oregon.
• Paul Frantz, Head of Reference and Research Services
• Barbara Jenkins, Director of Instruction and Campus Partnerships

3. The Mobile Playground

4. Try it!
Your Favorite Database on a Tablet
Try accessing your favorite database from a
tablet and imagine that you are demoing it to
a class. What worked and what did not work?

5. Presentation of the page
Access to multimedia
content
Database specific tools
Email full text
Separate app required
Methods: Functions measured

6. Coding system divided each task into 4 areas
of functionality:
• Fully functional
• Requires workaround
• Not functional
• Not applicable
Methods: Coding

7. What we found:
Presentation of Page

8. What we found: Presentation of Page
Top 7 Most Common Vendors

9. What we found:
Multimedia Content Access

10. What we found: Multimedia Content
Access Top 7 Common Vendors

11. What we found:
Database Specific Tools

12. What we found: Database Specific
Tools Top 7 Common Vendors

13. What we found:
Email Full Text

14. What we found: Email Full Text
Top 7 Most Common Vendors

15. What we found: Apps
96.2% of databases did not
require any app or specific
software to operate.
Many vendors do offer apps for
their databases and mobile
websites.
Can database apps be useful in
an instruction setting?

16. Discussion: What Does this Mean
for Library Instruction?
Barriers from results:
• Email full text
• Java/Flash (small amount of databases)
Other potential barriers:
• IT staff time
• Student comfort levels

17. Discussion: What Does this Mean
for Library Instruction?
iPads and Databases do “play nice.”

18. Questions?
Kelly Meadow
kellylmeadow@gmail.com / @kellylmeadow
Ngoc-Yen Tran
yentran@uoregon.edu

19. Credits
References:
Bohyun, K. (2013). Mobile consumer behavior. Library
Technology Reports, 49(6), 9-14.
Calkins, K. and Bowles-Terry, M. (2013). Mixed
methods, mixed results: a study of engagement
among students using iPads in library instruction.
Paper presented at ACRL 2013 Conference,
Indianapolis, IN.
Matamoros, A. B. and Neary, M. A. (2012). Librarians,
legal research, and classroom iPads - a winning
combination. AALL Spectrum, 18, 27-29.
New Media Consortium (2013). Horizon Report: 2013
Higher Education Edition.
http://www.nmc.org/publications/2013-horizon-
report-higher-ed
Wells, V. (2012). Hunting for QR codes: Linking
students to the music collection. Music Reference
Services Quarterly, 15, 137-148
Zickuhr, K. (2013). Tablet Ownership 2013.
Washington, D.C.: Pew Research Center Internet
and American Life Project.
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Tablet-
Ownership-2013.aspx
Photos:
Play Quest http://playquestadventureplay.co.uk/images/DSCF0012_rsz.jpg
Wikimedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IPad_1_PSD_Mockup.png
Miami University Libraries
http://www.flickr.com/photos/muohio_digital_collections/3190693985
Emory Maiden http://www.flickr.com/photos/44551921@N04/6240707542/
Media Station http://www.flickr.com/photos/cayoup/5604750561
James F Clay http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesclay/3509154015
Craig Chew-Moulding http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigmoulding/8399214678
Access My Library http://publishingperspectives.com/wp-
content/uploads/2011/02/Access-My-Library-App-202x300.png
EBSCOhost http://cdn.appato.com/ebsco-publishing/ebscohost/icon/256
Artstor http://vrc.bard.edu/files/2011/04/artstor-mobile-advert.jpg
Ebrary https://multcolib.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/ebrary_0.png
Thomson Reuters http://gpt.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-
content/uploads/thomson-reuters-ipad-apps.jpg
Robert and Talbot Trudeau
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robert_trudeau/8288865378
Randolf Jorberg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3gstore/4746266790
Sean MacEntee http://www.flickr.com/photos/smemon/7469170810/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode