mobile services in connecticut libraries

Mobile ServicesIN CONNECTICUT LIBRARIES

ROLE OF LIBRARIES: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

OLD, TRADITIONAL SPACE NEW, MODERN SPACE

Definition of mobile services:

- These methods promote the relevance of traditional services in the modern environment and advance the ability of librarians to think progressively about new mobile services.

- Innovative methods that libraries use to deliver services through portable devices to meet the modern patron’s information needs on the go. (ALA 2009)

POPULATION USE IN LIBRARIES33% of Americans access the web through

mobile devices (Hadro, 2009).

1/2 of the student population access the web through mobile devices.

94% of students send and receive text messages (Farkas, 2010).

Our Methods:Surveyed 110 public libraries and 28 academic

libraries.

Each library was sent the survey via email.

Websites were explored for information, when emails went unanswered.

Collected data was entered into a spreadsheet, then formatted and tally the number of services within a county and yield a percentage.

Survey Questions and Results1. Does your library provide SMS reference services, for example: text a librarian?

-4 public libraries

-11 academic libraries

2.Does your library provide MOPAC (MOBILE ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG)?

-61 public libraries

-15 academic libraries

3.Does your Library allow patrons to reserve books, send notifications about overdue materials or late fees,etc. via mobile phones?

-54 public

-7 academic

4.Does your library allow patrons to access audiobooks?

-74 public libraries

-13 academic

5.Does your library allow patrons to access ebooks for those with ereaders?

-40 public libraries

-9 academic libraries

6.Does your library circulate/loan ereaders?

-18 public libraries

-2 academic libraries

7.Does your library circulate/loan laptops?

-19 public libraries

-9 academic libraries

8. Does your library incorporate podcasts in any way?

-22 public libraries

-6 academic libraries

9. Are your libraries databases accessible via mobile phones?

-66 public libraries

-19 academic libraries

10. Does your library offer free WiFi for patrons with mobile devices?

-84 public libraries

-25 academic libraries

Other Mobile Services:-Mobile map of library

Have

SMS

Provid

e M

OPAC

Reser

ves U

sing

Phone

Acces

s Aud

io B

ooks

Acces

s to

E-B

ooks

Acces

s to

E-re

ader

s

Lapto

p Loa

ns

Inco

rpor

ate

Podca

sts

Mob

ile P

hone

Dat

abas

e Acc

ess

Free

Wi-F

i02468

1012141618

Comparison of Hartford and Fairfield County Pub-lic Library Mobile Services

HartfordFairfield

Mobile Services

Num

ber

of

Lib

rari

es

Have

SMS

Provide

MOPAC

Reser

ves Usi

ng P

hone

Acces

s Aud

io B

ooks

Acces

s to

E-Boo

ks

Acces

s to

E-read

ers

Lapto

p Loa

ns

Inco

rpor

ate

Podca

sts

Mob

ile P

hone

Dat

abas

e Acc

ess

Free

Wi-F

i0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Comparison of the Percentage of Public and Academic Libraries in Connecticut with Specific

Mobile Services

PublicAcademic

Mobile Services

Perc

enta

ge

Have

SMS

Provide

MOPAC

Reser

ves Usi

ng P

hone

Acces

s Aud

io B

ooks

Acces

s to

E-Boo

ks

Acces

s to

E-read

ers

Lapto

p Loa

ns

Inco

rpor

ate

Podca

sts

Mob

ile P

hone

Dat

abas

e Acc

ess

Free

Wi-F

i02468

10121416

New Haven County Public Library Survey Results (Out of 15 Libraries)

Mobile Services

Num

ber o

f Lib

rarie

s

Have

SMS

Provide

MOPAC

Reser

ves Usi

ng P

hone

Acces

s Aud

io B

ooks

Acces

s to

E-Boo

ks

Acces

s to

E-read

ers

Lapto

p Loa

ns

Inco

rpor

ate

Podca

sts

Mob

ile P

hone

Dat

abas

e Acc

ess

Free

Wi-F

i02468

10121416

Litchfield County Public Library Survey Results (Out of 17 Libraries)

Mobile Services

Num

ber o

f Lib

rarie

s

Have

SMS

Provide

MOPAC

Reser

ves Usi

ng P

hone

Acces

s Aud

io B

ooks

Acces

s to

E-Boo

ks

Acces

s to

E-read

ers

Lapto

p Loa

ns

Inco

rpor

ate

Podca

sts

Mob

ile P

hone

Dat

abas

e Acc

ess

Free

Wi-F

i0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Middlesex County Public Library Survey Results (Out of 11 Libraries)

Mobile Services

Num

ber o

f Lib

rarie

s

Have

SMS

Provide

MOPAC

Reser

ves Usi

ng P

hone

Acces

s Aud

io B

ooks

Acces

s to

E-Boo

ks

Acces

s to

E-read

ers

Lapto

p Loa

ns

Inco

rpor

ate

Podca

sts

Mob

ile P

hone

Dat

abas

e Acc

ess

Free

Wi-F

i0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Comparison of Tolland and Windham County Pub-lic Library Mobile Services

TollandWindham

Mobile Services

Num

ber o

f Lib

rarie

s