This document discusses how libraries can optimize their mobile presence with minimal resources. It recommends developing a responsive website that automatically adapts to different screen sizes, rather than separate mobile sites. The document outlines options like using pre-fabricated responsive templates, retrofitting an existing site, or building a new one. It provides tips on usability testing, ADA compliance, and promoting services through QR codes and social media. The goal is to make key library resources accessible on any mobile device with a minimal investment of time and expertise.

1. Your Library on the Go:
Catching Up with Your
Mobile Patrons
Or, How to Optimize Your Mobile Presence
with Minimal Investment and Expertise
Karrie McLellan
Head of Digital Services
East Greenbush Community Library

2. Disclaimer

4. What Does Mobile-
Friendly Mean?

5. Separate Sites

6. Responsive Site

7. Apps

8. I hate to throw
my own library
system under
the bus…

9. Does your library need a
mobile presence?
YES!*
*Some special libraries may be exceptions

10. The Numbers
58% of American adults have a smartphone.
http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/
25%of US Web users are mobile ONLY
http://mobithinking.com

11. Your Options

12. 1. Do Nothing

13. 2. Apps
Should we have one?
Why?

14. Free App Builders

15. Free(ish) Services
http://iui-js.org

16. 3. Retrofit

17. Early WordPress Plugin

18. Full page
Mobile top
Mobile bottom
http://techtips.eastgreenbushlibrary.org
Responsive Theme “Twenty Twelve”

19. 4. Separate Sites

20. 5. Build a New Site

21. Responsive Design

22. Example - OverDrive
http://digitalcollection.uhls.org

23. More Examples
• http://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/hardinmd/2012/05/03/res
ponsive-design-sites-higher-ed-libraries-notables/
• http://bostonglobe.com/
• http://jstor.com/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
• http://2012.buildconf.com/
• http://contentsmagazine.com/
• http://css-tricks.com/
*also a useful site on this subject

24. Mobile Design Tools
Free to low cost Prefab Library
Free, but limited templates.
More options and flexibility.
$, comes with 24/7 support
Looks promising!

25. What to Include

26. Also…
And…

27. Layout? Style?!

28. Prefab Library
http://helloprefab.com/

29. Mobile Tips

30. ADA Considerations

31. Alt Tags
Headings
Document Type Indicators

32. Choosing “Safe” Colors
http://www.visibone.com/colorblind/
http://safecolours.rigdenage.com/colourchoice.html

33. Geek Alert!
http://caniuse.com/#feat=css-mediaqueries
http://bradfrost.github.io/this-is-responsive/index.html
http://matthew.reidsrow.com/articles/23
Jason Clark, Chad Mairn – Supreme Geeks

34. Test and Test again

35. Emulator
http://www.mobilephoneemulator.com/

36. Validator

37. Testing RWD
http://designyourway.net/blog/resources/tools-for-
testing-responsive-websites-21-items

38. Many, Many Resources
• http://libsuccess.org/M-Libraries
• http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/the-ultimate-mega-essential-
website-design-guide-115-resources/
• Rock stars to follow online:
o Ellyssa Kroski (iLibrarian blog)
o David Lee King
o Jonathan Stark (non-librarian)
o Chad Mairn
o Jason Clark
o Brad Frost
o Matthew Reidsrow
Responsive: http://www.abookapart.com/, http://www.alistapart.com/

39. Complementary Tools

40. QR Codes

42. How We Use Them

43. Other Library Ideas
• Link to movie trailers
• Link to librarian book talks
• Readers advisory – “If you like
this…”
• Nonfiction pathfinders
• Scavenger hunt
• Scan to sign up for electronic
newsletter
• Pull up a map of the library

44. What Do Your Patrons Need?
TESCO/Home Plus in South Korea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGaVFRzTTP4

46. Delivr - Create

47. Delivr - Style

48. QR Code Tips

49. QR Code Resources
• http://hackaday.com/2011/08/11/how-to-put-your-logo-in-a-
qr-code/
• http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/qr-code-roundup-10-resources-for-
librarians-and-educators/
• http://mashable.com/2010/08/23/how-to-create-qr-codes/
QR Code Generators:
• http://delivr.com/QR-Code-Generator
• http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ (no free stats)
• http://www.qrstuff.com/

50. Social Media

52. Your Voice
DO: DON’T:

53. Ground Rules

54. Woobox
RSS Graffiti App
(Facebook)

55. Twitterfeed.com, IFTTT, Event Calendar API

56. Pinterest

57. Questions?

58. Contact Info: Karrie McLellan
Head of Digital Services
East Greenbush Community Library
mclelk@eastgreenbushlibrary.org
Slides: http://www.slideshare.net/techbrarian
Links: http://delicious.com/karriem