Opportunities for

Mobile Enhanced

Library Services and Collections Tito Sierra, NCSU Libraries JHU Libraries Assembly May 21, 2010

Outline • • • The Mobile Opportunity Mobile Library Projects at NCSU • • NCSU Libraries Mobile The WolfWalk Project Issues to Consider When Developing Mobile Library Services and Collections

The Mobile Opportunity

The Mobile Opportunity “In the developed world, mobile computing has become an indispensable part of day-to-day life in the workforce, and a key driver is the increasing ease and speed with which it is possible to access the Internet from virtually anywhere in the world via the ever-expanding cellular network.” — The Horizon Report 2010 Edition (http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2010/ )

The Mobile Opportunity How prevalent is mobile internet access?

The Mobile Opportunity How prevalent is mobile internet access?

The Mobile Opportunity How prevalent is mobile internet access?

Approximately 15% to 20% of the U.S. population access the Internet on a mobile device on a daily basis.

The Mobile Opportunity How big is the market for

mobile library services

?

The Mobile Opportunity How big is the market for

mobile library services

?

Unclear

at the moment. Probably small, but likely to grow.

Mobile Projects at NCSU

NCSU Libraries Mobile

NCSU Libraries Mobile • • • A suite of library services Optimized to 3 tiers of mobile devices Content delivery framework based on

MIT Mobile Web

“MobiLIB” at NCSU (2007)

NCSU Libraries Mobile (2010) 1.

2.

3.

Locations & Hours Computer Availability • • Search Catalog Summon Ask Us 4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Room Reservations GroupFinder News & Events Webcams 9.

10.

WolfWalk Reserves (coming soon)

Guiding Principles Don’t reproduce the library website—distill it to what users might actually use in a

mobile use context

.

Guiding Principles Save the

time

of the library user.

Guiding Principles Mobile apps are a new thing, so

be receptive to new ideas

.

NCSU Libraries Mobile Demo http://m.lib.ncsu.edu

Locations & Hours

Computer Availability

Catalog Search

Ask Us

Webcams

Implementation Notes Nearly all of our mobile library services are re-skinned versions of

existing web applications

.

Implementation Notes Reuse of existing infrastructure

lowered development costs

and rapid prototyping possible.

The WolfWalk Project

The WolfWalk Project • • • • A historical guide to NC State campus University Archives Photo Collection Location-aware Two versions • • Mobile website iPhone App

WolfWalk Concept Make it easy for the NC State campus community to learn about the history of campus

while on campus

.

WolfWalk Concept Jason Casden, NCSU Libraries

Todd Kosmerick and Adam Berenbak, NCSU Libraries

Jason Casden, NCSU Libraries

The WolfWalk Project Demo http://m.lib.ncsu.edu/wolfwalk

Location-aware Collections How else can the location-aware concept be applied to library collections?

Location-aware Collections Architectural walking tours?

This day

place

in history?

Historical events that occurred near me?

Issues to Consider When Developing Mobile Library Services and Collections

Basic Questions • • What value does the “mobile” aspect of the project add to the user experience with a library service or collection?

What incentives do users have to access this content on a mobile device, rather than via existing channels?

Local Factors • • • How prevalent is mobile internet and app usage in your user community?

Are there different patterns of use between undergraduate and graduates?

Are the mobile opportunities unique to your campus (e.g., medical reference)?

Implementation Choices Do you build a platform specific “native app” (e.g., iPhone App, Android App), a mobile website that works across a range of devices, or both?

When to Make a Native App • • • • • • • Charging for it Creating a game Using specific locations* Using cameras Using accelerometers Accessing the filesystems Offline users

The Case for Mobile Web Apps “I believe that unless your application meets one of these native application criteria, you should not create a native application, but should instead focus on building a mobile web application.” — Brian Fling, “Mobile Design and Development”

The Case for iPhone Apps “I am writing to tell you that I think usage and therefore your impact will be minimal if you only have a mobile website. You need to port your website to apps for the Apple and Google App Store. People spend most of their time accessing data on the web through apps.” — Unsolicited feedback from a WolfWalk user

Shifting Landscape • • • Mobile technology is changing rapidly, making it difficult to plan for what’s next New standards and technology are unevenly distributed across platforms New interaction models emerging • • Location-based Services (e.g., Foursquare) Augmented Reality

Closing Thoughts If you plan to work in the mobile space, be prepared to

experiment

.

Closing Thoughts If you plan to work in the mobile space, be prepared to

experiment

.

The lack of prevalent models makes this work both

challenging

and

exciting

.

Thank you for your time!

Tito Sierra [email protected]

More Information NCSU Libraries Mobile: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/dli/projects/librariesmobile The WolfWalk Project: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/dli/projects/wolfwalk