The document discusses mobile technologies in libraries, focusing on research and practice at Birmingham City University Library. It summarizes a Jisc-funded project reviewing research on mobile libraries. At BCU Library, a working group explores mobile projects like using SMS, QR codes, and a mobile app. The conclusions emphasize the need for research to inform practice and practice to inform research through collaboration between practitioners and researchers.

1. Putting research into
practice: Mobile technologies in
libraries
Jo Alcock and Annmarie Lee
Birmingham City University
CILIP Umbrella Conference
3rd July 2013

2. Research
• Jisc-funded m-library community support
project
Practice
• Birmingham City University Library and
Learning Resources
Conclusions
• Implications for researchers and
practitioners
Overview

3. Mobile technologies in libraries
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennedylibrary/6176216315

4. Jisc m-library programme

5. "to help support and engage the emerging
m-library community by reviewing and
synthesising existing research and
evidence-based guidance"
Evidence Base & Owen Stephens Consulting
November 2011 - September 2012
http://mlibraries.jiscinvolve.org/wp/
M-library community support project

6. Evidence gathering
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vees/999594439

7. Community building
http://www.flickr.com/photos/omegaman/194705584

8. Pathways to best practice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hockadilly/5744624394

9. • A student population of 25,000
• About a third of our students study part-
time
• Six academic faculties offering over 350
courses
• Eight campus libraries
• Increase in users learning from a
distance
BCU Library and Learning Resources

10. Mobile at BCU - outreach

11. Since August 2011, 78,825 Library SMS
messages have been sent.
Mobile at BCU - SMS

12. Mobile at BCU - QR codes

13. • Representatives from different campuses
and parts of library, plus a CICT
colleague
• Meet on a monthly basis
• Bring ideas together and work on small
scale investigative projects
• Organic process to enable new
opportunities
Mobile technologies working group

14. • Library functionality in mobile app
• Mobile treasure hunt for inductions
• Supporting learning and teaching (e.g.
augmented reality)
• Recommended apps for outreach
• Mobile access to resources
• Google Maps for location-based
orientation
Working group projects

15. Mobile at BCU - iBCU

16. Research informing practice

17. Research informing practice

18. Research informing practice
http://www.libsuccess.org

19. • Ensure research is informed by practice
o Need to be aware of pain points
• Ensure information is accessible to
practitioners
o Improve awareness by sharing at
practitioner events
o Produce short easy-to-use guides
Implications for researchers

20. • Look for research to inform practice
o Starting a new project? Has it been done
before? Has someone published lessons
learned and tips for best practice?
• Remain aware of current research
o Follow research blogs and tweets
• Help provide information to inform
research
o Contribute to research surveys
Implications for practitioners

21. • Both sides can learn from each other
o Two way process - practice informed by
research, research informed by practice
• Help improve practice and research
Benefits of collaboration

22. Jo Alcock
@joeyanne
Jo.Alcock@bcu.ac.uk
Annmarie Lee
@annmarielee66
Ann-Marie.Lee@bcu.ac.uk
Thank you for listening