This document discusses various ways that libraries are embracing mobile technologies to better serve patrons. It outlines how libraries are creating mobile-friendly websites and apps, using QR codes and augmented reality, offering collections and reference services via SMS and location-based social networks, lending mobile devices, and providing audio and video instructional content for patrons on the go. The rise of mobile phone and app usage indicates that libraries must meet patrons where they are - on their mobile devices - to remain relevant in the digital age.

1. Libraries
To
Go
Mobile Tech in
Libraries
Ellyssa Kroski

2. Why Mobile Matters
There are 5.3 billion global mobile subscribers
(that's 77 percent of the world’s population).
‐International Telecommunications Union
1 billion of the world’s 4+ billion mobile
phones are now smartphones.
‐Microsoft Tag
83% of American adults own a cell phone.
‐Pew Internet & American Life Project
87% of US smartphone owners access the internet
or email on their handheld.
‐Pew Internet & American Life Project

3. ‐ Microsoft Tag

4. Library Content To-Go
QR Codes
Library Websites SMS
Augmented Reality Mobile OPACS
Location‐Based Social Networks
Mobile Collections
Audio tours
Library Instruction Databases

5. Library Websites
&
Apps
44 Billion Mobile App Downloads by
2016, Says ABI Research
‐ABI Research

6. Library Websites & Apps
News & Events
Branch Locations
Library Hours

7. Library Websites & Apps
Computer Availability
Account Information
Mobile Databases

8. Book Recommendation Apps

9. Mobile OpACs
One half of all local searches are
performed on mobile devices.
‐Microsoft Tag

10. LibraryThing
III AirPac
LibraryAnywhere
SirsiDynix
BookMyne
Also:
Polaris Mobile Pac
Boopsie Service

11. QR Codes
14 Million US Adults Used QR Codes in June 2011
‐Microsoft Tag

12. QR Codes in the Catalog Lead to
Building Maps
University of Bath Library

13. QR Codes in the Stacks Link to Electronic
Resources
Florida State U College of Law Research Center

14. QR Codes Link New Releases To Book
Reviews
Florida State U College of Law Research Center

15. QR Codes in Popular Books
Lead to Recommendations
Contra Costa County Library

16. Location-Based
Social
Networks
There are 10 Million Foursquare users making
3 million checkins per day.
‐ Foursquare/Business Insider

17. Libraries on Foursquare Offer
Tips and Check-in Incentives

18. Patrons can Experience Library
Collections Related to Where They Are

19. Augmented
Reality
Mobile AR will…change not only the way humans
interact with machines but also the way humans
interact with their environment.
‐ Forrester Research

20. London Tube AR App Points Out Closest
Stations

21. Nearest Wiki App Provides Info About
Nearby Landmarks

22. AR Shelf Reading App Flags Misplaced
Books
•http://tinyurl.com/3kfrkta

23. Library SMS
Notifications
6.9 trillion SMS messages were sent in 2010. SMS traffic
is expected to break 8 trillion in 2011.
‐Portio Research

24. Text Alerts Remind Patrons
When Materials Are Coming Due

25. Text Alerts Let Patrons Know When Their
Items Are Available for Pick-Up

26. Texting from the Catalog Sends
Records to Patrons’ Phones

27. SMS Reference
6.9 SMS trillion messages were sent in 2010. SMS traffic
is expected to break 8 trillion in 2011.
‐Portio Research

28. Text Reference Makes Getting Info
Easy & Informal

29. Texting Services Offer Timely Responses
to Patrons on the Go

30. Mobile Library
Collections
According to the AAP, eBook sales in February 2011 were
$90.3m making digital books the largest single format in the
US for the first time ever. ‐The Guardian

31. Mobile Collections Offer Access to Library
Treasures On the Go
Bavarian State Library

32. Library Collections Can Be Offered for
Many Types of Devices
British Library 19th Century Collection

33. Mobile Digital Image Collections Are
Perfect for the Mobile Platform
Duke University Libraries

34. Mobile Collections Can Be Offered
Through Services Rather Than Created
OverDrive
e-NYPL

35. Libraries Lending
Devices
The share of adults in the United States who own
an e-book reader doubled to 12% in May, 2011 from
6% in November 2010.
‐Pew Internet & American Life Project

36. Libraries Lend iPods with
AudioBooks

37. A Library Lends iPods with Listening
Assignments for Music Courses

38. Libraries Are Lending Kindles

39. Libraries Are Lending iPads

40. Library
Instruction
To-Go
There are over 200 Million YouTube views on mobile
devices per day. – Microsoft Tag

41. Educational Podcasts Engage Patrons

42. Videocasts Teach Info Literacy Skills

43. Mobile Databases
96% of Undergraduate students own a cell phone.
‐Pew Internet & American Life Project

44. Database Publishers Offer Mobile
Content to Researchers On the Go
PubMed AccessMyLibrary - Gale

45. Database Publishers Offer Mobile Content
to Researchers On the Go
Ebsco Summon

46. Content Providers Are Teaming
Up with Mobile Developers
WorldCat RedLaser

47. Mobile Tours
50% of smart phone owners use their phones to
access maps and directions.
‐ Nielsen Company

48. Mobile Tours Engage Patrons
Using Familiar Technology
North Carolina State University’s WolfWalk

49. Geo-Location Can Be Used To
Offer Personalized Tours
Oregon State University Libraries BeaverTracks

50. Ways to “Go Mobile”

51. Mobile-Only Websites
• Boopsie: http://www.boopsie2.com
• Winksite: http://winksite.com
• Zinadoo: http://zinadoo.com
• dotMobi: http://site.mobi

52. QR Codes
• QR Code Generators
– http://qrcode.kaywa.com
– http://delivr.com/qr‐code‐generator
• QR Code Readers
– BeeTagg
– i‐nigma
– NeoReader

53. Location-Based Social Networks
• Foursquare
– http://www.foursquare.com
• Facebook Places
– http://www.facebook.com/places
• Gowalla
– http://gowalla.com

54. SMS Reference Services
• Google Voice
– http://www.google.com/voice
• LibraryH3lp
– http://libraryh3lp.com
• Text‐a‐Librarian
– http://www.textalibrarian.com

55. Augmented Reality
• Layar
– http://www.layar.com
• Google Goggles
– http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles
• AcrossAir
– http://www.acrossair.com

56. Re-Heat this Prez
http://www.slideshare.net/ellyssa
Ellyssa Kroski
http://www.ellyssakroski.com