Resource Review 8: M-Libraries: Library Success- A Best Practices Wiki

The M-Libraries Best Practices Wiki is an extremely interesting and useful compilation of resources and links related to mobile libraries. It offers a list of libraries that have mobile interfaces or applications, and most items on the lists are links. The list is extensive, but not complete, because the University of Wisconsin's Ebling Library for the Health Sciences is not yet on the list. The wiki also offers many links, divided between sections Mobile Applications, SMS notification servers, Mobile Instruction, Mobile Tours of the Library, QR 2D codes, Other, Library Vendors Offering Mobile Interfaces or Applications, Vendors Offering Mobile Tours, Publishers Offering Databases for Mobile Devices, Publishers Offering Mobile Collections, and other sections regarding further reading and health effects of mobile devices.

I am very glad to have found this wiki at the end of this project for a variety of reasons. One is that it provides an entirely different perspective on the marriage of mobile devices and libraries, because it offers information on vendors and publishers. Many other articles and blogs on the subject discuss the growing need for libraries to have mobile content or for libraries to use mobile devices in some way, but none that I have come across so far have provided substantial links and sources to actually make it happen. The value of this wiki is so high because a librarian or team of people working on a mobile site for a library can actually navigate to it for ideas, examples, and links to vendors. It is the most practical source I have come across so far in my research on mobile devices and libraries.

This wiki also has an international scope, making it accessible to librarians around the world. For example, Scandinavia seems to be a leader in the movement towards the connection of mobile devices and libraries, and librarians here in the US and around the world can learn from them. Also, there is beauty in the fact that it is a wiki: editable and changeable by all. It certainly is something that all libraries considering the implementation of mobile technologies in their libraries should consult.

Resource Review 7: The Mobile iRevolution by Karen Coombs: A Review

Karen Coombs' article, "The Mobile iRevolution," which appeared in the Fall 2008 edition of Library Journal, is yet another article emphasizing the importance of mobile devices and libraries. Coombs mentions how that when a book search is accessible on an iPhone, the patron could then be connected immediately to the closest library that has the book. She mentions how an "app" for OCLC and WorldCat is long overdue, and could prove to be extremely useful and valuable to patrons. This was an interesting idea, because although there has been a lot of discussion regarding the mobilization of content, there hasn't been that much discussion (besides QR codes) of how the mobile device can be seen as a vehicle for connection between the patron and the physical library.

Coombs also discusses the possibility of the iPhone (which seems to be the mobile device of choice) to act as an embedded 'librarian.' Like I mentioned in an earlier review, an embedded librarian is one who is outside the traditional locations, such as in coffee shops or student unions. Coombs says "They can allow libraries and librarians to stretch their presence beyond the library building and website and into user spaces" (p. 28). This is a key statement because, with the advent of everything digital, and the fear of the loss of the physical library, librarians must do all they can to extend their services and their expertise outside the library walls.

It seems that a popular notion in our information society is the ability to have instant access to any type of information at any time. The mobile device is a premier tool to realize this aspiration. Although cost is a large drawback of mobile devices to be actually present in the library, when many people have mobile devices of their own already, why not encourage users to use them to connect with library resources? Coombs' article offers excellent ideas for this phenomenon.


Full citation: Coombs, K. (2008). "The mobile iRevolution." Library Journal, 132, pp. 28.

Resource Review 6: A Review of David Murray's "iReference: Using Apple's iPhone as a Reference Tool"

In one 2008 edition of the journal 'The Reference Librarian,' David Murray writes as a guest columnist for a series of columns entitled "Pencils Never Crash: The Thoughtful Integration of Technology for Reference Service." One column, "iReference: Using Apple's iPhone as a Reference Tool" will be the focus of this post.

This interesting article examines the possibility of using an iPhone as a reference tool for librarians. Murray offers praise for the iPhone as well as offering suggestions for improvement. Murray compares the iPhone to a mini hand-held computer that a librarian can have with them at all times. Interestingly enough, he notes that his high esteem of the iPhone stems from the fact that the device delivers the real World Wide Web, and doesn't rely upon hard to read mobile websites. He also emphasizes the speed with which the iPhone connects to the Internet, and notes that this makes a huge difference for librarians. Although the iPhone was introduced in 2007 with a 2.5G network, in 2008 the network was upgraded to 3G, and no longer relied upon wireless internet service to function. For librarians on the go, Internet connection speed is essential, and the iPhone delivers.

However, Murray offers ways in which the iPhone could be improved to better serve librarians. For example, the iPhone offers ease of search and the handy touch screen, but no cut and paste option. Cut and paste must be one of the most widely used functions of librarians today, affording the librarian the possibility to send links directly to patrons without having to spend several minutes clicking back and forth copying the url. Unfortunately, this is one downfall of the iPhone as a reference tool. Without this, unless there is a direct link on a site to email, it makes it extremely difficult to connect with patrons once material is found. Even when a librarian finds a book on a library's catalog, without cut and paste, they would have to revert back to the old pen and paper to even copy down the call number. If the iPhone were to succeed as a reference tool, this function is necessary.

The draw of the iPhone as a reference tool is the fact that it is portable, and could easily accompany an embedded librarian. The significance of an embedded librarian is that the librarian is embedded into places other than the reference or circulation desk. An embedded librarian circulates the library, making themselves known. She also appears in local coffee shops or restaurants, always ready to perform duties as a librarian. With the iPhone on hand, the embedded librarian would certainly thrive. Without being weighted down by a laptop, or having to boot it up each time a question arises (Murray praises the fact that iPhones have minimal booting up time and rarely crash), the librarian is able to offer quick, reliable information.

In conclusion, the iPhone has much potential as a reference tool for librarians. One issue I thought about while reading the article, that I was surprised that Murray didn't mention, was the cost. Although iPhones are all the rage right now, they are indeed expensive. The embedded librarian theme seems to be most popular at the moment in the realm of academic libraries, which perhaps have more money than do public libraries, but all the same, these tools would be difficult for libraries to work into their budgets. Therefore, if I were to predict the future of the iPhone as a reference tool for librarians, I would say that it would likely depend upon individual libraries. The libraries would certainly have to weigh the pros and cons of such an investment.


Full citation: Murray, D.C. (2008). "iReference: Using Apple's iPhone as a reference tool." The Reference Librarian, 49(2), pp. 167-169.

Resource Review 5: The Pew Internet and American Life Project: The Future of the Internet III

The Pew Internet and American Life Project released the study, "The Future of the Internet III" in December 2008, and there were many interesting points regarding mobile devices. When you go to the study , the first paragraph under overview notes "A survey of internet leaders, activists and analysts shows they expect major tech advances as the phone becomes a primary device for online access, voice-recognition improves, artificial and virtual reality become more embedded in everyday life, and the architecture of the internet itself improves." Also, the first finding listed in the summary of findings is: "The mobile device will be the primary connection tool to the internet for most people in the world in 2020."

The first scenario described in the section about mobile devices is called "The Evolution of Mobile Internet Connections." The subtitle is "Respondents say mobility is key to sharing information everywhere in the world." Today, libraries are still one of the major hubs for information, but they will meet competition with mobile devices. Information share is one of the most important aspects of the libary (public, special, and academic), and libraries are no longer only about books. Libraries must meet the competition with gusto, and enhance their mobile websites.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project is a trusted source, and the findings must be taken seriously. For public libraries in particular, the study offers significant advice. For example, mobile devices are a way to bridge the digital divide. In 2020, the survey predicts, 50% of the bottom three quarters of the world's population with have internet access, and mobile devices are a way to 'promote digital inclusion.' An enormous physical infrastructure is not necessarily needed if mobile devices can provide wireless access.

Since public libraries are institutions that often serve the bottom three quarters of the population, they can use mobile technologies to their advantage. If not creating a mobile library website of its own due to lack of staff or funds, I believe libraries can embrace the mobile trend in other ways. They could possibly implement text messaging services, or bring awareness of the possibilities of mobile devices through signs or other advertisements. In 2020, we will see if the predictions of the Pew Internet and American Life Project regarding mobile devices ring true, but for now, libraries all over the world should get connected with mobile phones.


Full citation: Rainie, L. & Anderson, J. (2008). "The future of the Internet III." Accessible online at http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2008/The-Future-of-the-Internet-III.aspx