Mobile Innovation in UK LibrariesHassan Sheikh– The Open University Library, UK.

20th May, 2010.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andanteener/151324811/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8582775@N05/3531597741/

The OU Library website

Why mobile services?

• Increasing demand from students and researchers – majority have mobile devices

• Flexible access for distance learners (anytime and anywhere)

• Quick and efficient WiFi or data access to services

• Caters for different styles of learning and communication

• Appropriate and to the point content

• Empowers students to engage when it suits them

Mobile OU Library website – v1 (early 2008)

Mobile OU Library website:v1 – top visited pages

Mobile OU Library website:v2 (In development)Key areas for mobile users

• Opening hours

• Contact us

• About us

• Search

• News

• Events

• Jobs

Mobile OU Library website – v2 (In development)

Three devices model (Inspired by MIT and NCSU mobile web)

Low end (basic web enabled phones)

High end (touch screen)Middle end (smart phones)

Other mobile services developments

• SMS services –Ask a Librarian reference services (160 characters answer).• iKnow and mobile Safari – information literacy on mobiles• Customise search interface for smaller screens (With QR codes for each result)• Mobile access to SCONUL database of libraries• Contribution towards mobile VLE

• Provide digital literacy on mobiles e.g. How to’s and learn about guides

Collaboration on mobile services development

Athabasca University Library, Canada(ADR, mobile ESL)

Ryerson University Library, Toronto(User testing, front end graphics)

NC State University Libraries and MIT(Three device model , MIT Mobile web open source project)

Questions?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oberazzi/318947873/

Thank you!

Hassan Sheikh (m.u.h.sheikh@open.ac.uk)Head of Systems Development

The Open University Library, United Kingdom