This document discusses how libraries can better connect with teens and tweens using mobile devices and technology. It provides statistics showing high percentages of teens owning cell phones and communicating daily via texting. It then offers suggestions for libraries like creating mobile-friendly websites and using QR codes, texting teens about programs, and promoting eBooks that can be read on various devices. The document also provides an overview of the major mobile platforms like Android and Apple, and how libraries can help patrons access and use eBooks, audiobooks and other digital content on their devices.

1. Teens, Tweens, Their Devices, and the Library
YALS Conference September 29, 2011
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2. It’s not all about the library...
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3. It’s not about the gadget...
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4. It’s about the teens ... and tweens.
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5. These Days Are Over
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6. Today’s Library
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7. Why try to reach teens
with gadgets?
Gadgets are teens’:
• communication hub
• entertainment platform
• ready reference
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8. Some Stats from Pew Research (October 2010)
• 66% of 12-13 year olds own a cell phone.
• 80% of 14-17 year olds own one.
• In households earning less than $30,000/year, 59% of teens own a cell
phone. This percentage increases with household earnings to 87%.
• What probably makes a difference in NH is the lack of cellular service in some
of our communities.
http://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2010/Oct/Teens-and-Mobile-Phones.aspx
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9. Pew Internet: How kids talk daily
Text Talk Cell Talk Talk Landline Social Network
IM Email
0 15 30 45 60
2009
http://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2010/Oct/Teens-and-Mobile-Phones.aspx
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10. Text? How is the library going to text teens?
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11. What not Gmail?
• There is no charge to the library
to send an SMS. But you have
a limited number to send.
• The recipient will be charged if
they do not have a texting plan.
• If they reply, the message will
go to your chat history in case
you miss it.
• Send a text to 5 people at once
through Google Voice, too.
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12. What more can the library do for teens...?
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13. Mobile Site
Mobile sites are easy to create
with blogging software like
WordPress or Blogger.
Add useful links to help them
connect with the people and
services they need.
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14. QR Codes
Quick read codes can be used in
a variety of ways.
(This one links to a YouTube
video.)
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15. QR Code Ideas
• Add QR codes to library posters for adding the event to their calendar.
• Placing a QR code on a book linking to a webpage for readalike suggestions.
• Giving the library’s contact information in a QR code to get added to the
patron’s contacts.
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16. eBooks
• Library eBooks can be read
devices other than dedicated
readers, like on Android phones
and tablets and iPod Touches
and iPhones.
• Schools are promoting the
service and purchasing their
own readers and eBooks.
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17. The simple guide to gadgets... Now it’s all about
the toys.
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18. There are three major players to know about...
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19. Android
Google’s Operating System
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20. A Google Search for
Choices, choices!
Android Tablets
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21. Android Hints
• Is it an Android? Look for the • Direct download of MP3
“Google” brand or the four audiobooks, but transfer (with
“buttons” at the bottom of the cable) from computer
screen. recommended
• Open source operating system • Direct download of eBooks with
OMC or (kind of directly
download) to the Kindle app.
• Used by many, many phone and
tablet manufacturers and each
manufacturer makes changes to
the system.
• Outselling iPhone 2 to 1.
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22. Apple
What to know
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23. Apple Hints
• What it does best: mini-computer • It’s recommended to download
on the go. MP3 to computer and transfer
with cable via iTunes
• Games, music, video,
productivity tools, etc. • Transfer of WMA audiobooks
from a PC via iTunes with a cable
• Download eBooks from
OverDrive.
• Directly download MP3
audiobooks via wireless or
cellular connection.
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24. Dedicated Readers
• What they do best: eBook Reading. • Early returns through Adobe Digital
Editions, the mobile OMC app, or
the Kindle account.
• May offer wireless or cellular
download of eBooks purchased
from store • Often developed on closed Android
operating system -- like Nooks and
the new Kindle Fire.
• All OverDrive eBooks are
transferred from computer with
cable via Adobe Digital Editions or
sent wirelessly to the Kindle from a
computer.
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25. The Kindle (Original)
• Created by Amazon • Now allows wireless downloads of
Audible audiobooks (wi-fi, not
cellular)
• Uses proprietary DRM
• Now allows for wireless transfers of
• Does not use EPUB (the format
OverDrive eBooks (wi-fi, not
NHDB uses)
cellular)
• Recently compatible with
• Wireless Internet access to check
OverDrive.
email, use Wikipedia, etc.
• Allows wireless downloads of
Kindle eBooks
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26. Tablets
• Text Editing • Games!
• Presentations • Research
• Spreadsheets • Reading
• Video and photo editing • Music
• Camera • Videos
• Scanning • And more...
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27. What’s new?
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28. New Amazon Kindles
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29. New Kindles & Pricing
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30. Apple will release a new operating system for the
iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad called iOS 5.
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31. New iMessage from Apple coming soon!
http://www.apple.com/ios/ios5/features.html#imessage
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32. iCloud A competitor to Google?
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33. References http://yals2011.tumblr.com/
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