Developing a mobile strategy for the University of Glasgow Library

Karen Stevensonon behalf of Library Mobile Technology Group

University Library

• 2.5 million books and journals

• 40,000 e-journals• 600,000 e-books• 800 student PCs• Wi-Fi throughout (?)

Getting started with mobile

• Interested Library staff• June 2010 – broad level

investigation• Mobile Technology Group• Recommendation to

Senior Management• Go ahead!

Early decisions

• Not apps (for now)• Catalogue search• Renew books• Need devices to test• Regular surveys

Gathering pace

• Research literature• Costs of devices and

services• Engaged with University

colleagues• More enthusiasm!• More initiatives

Strategy emerges

• Dec 2010• 10 strands• Project plan• Phased implementation• Potential barriers

10 strands

• Library search• QR codes• Instant enquiry messaging• Mobile e-book• SMS library notices

• Bluetooth• Infrastructure• Live Lab• User Education• Promotion and evaluation

Library survey: March 2011

• 358 respondents• 39% aged 20-23• 55% undergraduates• 22% postgraduates• 21% staff

• 32% iPhone• 30% Android • 13% Blackberry• 12% iPod Touch• 4% iPad or other tablet

Survey: What do you use the internet access on your mobile device to do?

Answer options Responses

E-mail 79.0%

Facebook / Twitter 74.7%

Browse internet 72.4%

Get directions / maps 65.1%

Watch videos 37.8%

Instant Messaging 34.9%

Download/read e-books 22.7%

Don’t use internet access 12.5%

Survey: What Library services do you currently use on your mobile device?

Answer options Responses

I didn’t know you could! 58.7%

Search for books etc 29.4%

Renew books 19.5%

Check Library opening hours 19.5%

Check account for fines 12.5%

Watch Library videos 2.6%

Library services mobile – step 1

• AirPAC (LMS supplier: Innovative Interfaces)

• Searching/requesting• Library Account• Renewals/fines• Key Library information

Search results/full record

My Account: renewals, fines

Adoption of QR codes

• Catalogue records• New book reservations• Contact details• Library leaflets• Physical locations (Later

phase?)

Library Infrastructure

• Not complete WiFi or 3G coverage

• University VPN required• But not available to

Android phones• Mobile phone policy• Bluetooth considerations

(Phase 2)

Instant messaging

• Open source• Used at other libraries• Trial April – May• Rethink communications• SMS notices, enquiries?

(Phase 2)

Academic e-books

• Selected sample of providers

• Functional worksheets• Tested devices• DRM & authentication• ‘Suppliers/aggregators

need to do better’

User education – the Live Lab

In the future, we must be able to teach users about how to access information from their mobile devices and show them how to organise and use effectively that information for coursework and research.

(University of Glasgow Library Mobile Strategy, 2011)

Promotion and evaluation

• Mobile marketing group• The Library unleashed …• Blog, twitter, visual display• Fun surveys• All of the photographs in

this presentation!

Just the beginning

• Assess the services launched• Develop and expand • Engage Library staff• Listen to our users• Monitor mobile developments

Thank you!

Karen Stevensonkaren.stevenson@glasgow.ac.uk

www.lib.gla.ac.ukwww.facebook.com/uofglibrarywww.twitter.com/uofglibrarywww.flickr.com/uofglibrarywww.youtube.com/uofg