This document summarizes the rise of mobile technologies and their impact on libraries. It begins with 3 key points: 1) Mobile devices are increasingly how people access the internet. By 2013, mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common web access device. 2) Libraries recognize the need to provide services and content optimized for mobile to remain relevant to users who access information anywhere, anytime from various devices. 3) A growing number of academic and public libraries are implementing mobile friendly services like mobile websites, apps, and QR codes to enhance access to collections and resources.

1. Any Time, Anywhere, Any Device
Cathy Oxley
Brisbane Grammar School
Mobile Technologies in Libraries

2. Why Should We Care About
Mobile Devices?

3. "The Web of the
future ...will be
accessible from a
growing diversity of
networks ... and will
be available on an
ever increasing
number of different
types of devices. ...”
(Source: Tim Berners-Lee, founder of
the Internet)
Image: “Crackberry Baby”

4. Gartner Research
“By 2013, mobile phones
will overtake PCs as the
most common Web
access device worldwide.”
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-
life/mobiles/smartphones-to-overtake-desktops-for-internet-
20110602-1fi1y.html
Image from Britannica Image Quest

5. “More than half of all mobile internet users go online from
their handheld devices on a daily basis.”
(Source: Aaron Smith, Mobile Access, 2010 Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Image from Britannica Image Quest)

6. “Mobile technology and the
pervasiveness of social networking are
“Students constantly game-changers.”
engage in an online
environment where
they expect to discover
anything they need to
know and access it
immediately, either by
engaging with online
apps or by asking
friends and associates.”
(Source: Colin Bates, Deakin
University Library)

7. “When we get to a point
where a mobile version is
expected of whatever
content we want to interact
with, not having a mobile
version may cut off desire
to consume that content.”
(Source: Inside Higher Ed: Challenges and
opportunities of the small screen,
November 19, 2009)

8. A small but growing number of libraries are beginning to
apply mobile technologies to provide new services or to
enhance traditional services. In doing so these libraries are
making themselves not only more available but also more
relevant to their users.
(Source: Helen Partridge, QUT)

9. M-Tech and Libraries
 Emergence of smart phones as primary
information portals
 Seamless user experience = success
 Success for libraries = ability to insert the library
into the information stream (mobile technology)
of our clients
(Source: Joe Murphy, Yale university Library)
http://www.slideshare.net/joseph.murphy/yalemobile

10. Global Mobile Trends

11. 2012 Mobile Usage Statistics
• 87% of the world’s population now has a mobile
phone, with China and India leading growth
http://www.digital-tsunami.com/2012/09/27/mobile-versus-pc-use-1209
• There are 6 billion mobile phones around the
world, of which 75% are in developing countries.
http://finweek.com/2013/01/22/mobile-phone-usage-in-sa/

12. 2012 Mobile Usage Statistics
• In Russia, 45% of 18-24 year-olds are mobile
internet users compared to 1% of over-55s
• Japan has one of the world’s most sophisticated
mobile markets with millions using their phone’s
internet browsers
http://www.digital-tsunami.com/2012/09/27/mobile-versus-pc-use-1209

13. More Africans have access to mobile phones
than to clean drinking water.
In South Africa, the continent’s strongest
economy, mobile phone use has gone from
17% of adults in 2000 to 76% in 2010.
Today, more South Africans – 29 million – use
mobile phones than radio (28 million), TV (27
million) or personal computers (6 million).
http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/newswire/2011/mobile-phones-dominate-in-
south-africa.html

14. Analytix Business Intelligence recently conducted
research into the mobile market of South
Africa... Of South Africa’s vast population, a
small 18% are without mobile phones.
Only 20% of mobile phones being used in South
Africa are Smartphones – approximately 8
million.
2.5 million Blackberrys,
2 million Android devices
300,000 are Apple iPhones
http://www.dstvo.com/2012/09/mobile-phone-usage-in-south-africa/

15. Future Mobile Usage Predictions
• Global mobile data traffic will increase 26-fold
between 2010 and 2015
• There will be nearly one mobile device per capita
by 2015
• Two-thirds of the world’s mobile data traffic will
be video by 2015
http://www.smartinsights.com/analytics-conversion-optimisation-alerts/mobile-usage-statistics-2010-2015/

16. Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast
http://www.smartinsights.com/blog/digital-marketing-strategy/why-dont-many-companies-blog/attachment/global-mobile-data-
growth-forecast-by-region/

17. 2010 Horizon Report
“Mobile computing: Time to
adoption - one year or less
… a massive and increasing
number of people all over the
world now own and use a
computer that fits in their hand
and is able to connect to the
network wirelessly from virtually
anywhere.”
(Source: 2010 Horizon Report)
http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2010/chapters/mobile-computing/

18. Top 10 Mobile Internet Trends
http://www.slideshare.net/kleinerperkins/kpcb-top-10-mobile-trends-feb-2011
Early innings of a massive phenomenon
http://i.expression.microsoft.com/cc964299.mobile-ux%28en-us%29.jpg

19. Mobile Phone Use in Australia
“Australia has the world's
highest per capita use of
mobile phones.
By 2013, more internet
searches will be done on
smartphones than desktop
computers.”
(Source: Tony Keusgen, Google Australia)
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/smartphones-to-
overtake-desktops-for-internet-20110602-1fi1y.html
Image from Flickrcc.bluemountains

20. Image from PhotoDune
Ericsson is projecting that 80% of people worldwide will be using a
mobile phone to access the Internet by 2015.
http://wheel.ucdavis.edu/2012/05/2012-horizon-report-summary

21. What are University Libraries
Doing?

22. Mobile Learning at the Tipping Point
Mobile learning is:
Informal – owners regularly use their phone for Web 2.0 tasks
such as accessing social networks. Used properly, this can be
directed to valuable resources to support learning.
On demand – learners pull down the learning that best suits their
needs at a given time, in the workplace.
Ubiquitous – users can learn where and when they need to, at the
point of need.
Location-aware – using GPS technology, it is possible to make
learning tools and content relevant to the users’ location.
http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/470/mobile-learning-at-the-tipping-point

23. Libraries To Go: Mobile Tech in Libraries
Elyssa Kroski – Slideshare PPT

24. Duke University, NC

25. Sydney University of Technology
“Web 2.0 has changed the way our clients find, use and create
information and they now expect a dynamic and flexible learning
environment in and away from the library 24/7. ..
By providing mobile services, UTS Library is able to meet the
expectations of 21st century learners who are increasingly using the
mobile internet for work and play.”
(Source: Sophie McDonald, University of Technology Sydney, Library)

26. “Mobilization of
information in society
is impossible to
ignore. As information
specialists, libraries
cannot afford to be
perceived as ‘missing
the boat’ in delivery of
information, or our
clients may decide we
are irrelevant to their
needs.”
(Source: Charles Darwin University
Library, Joanna Witt & Michelle Turner)
Image from http://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Library

27. What are QR codes?
 Essentially barcodes which are readable with a
mobile phone app
 Can link to a website, video, image, audio file,
phone number etc

28. How do you create QR Codes?
 http://www.qrstuff.com/index.html
 At qrstuff, you can add a
web address or upload a
file. Your code is created
instantly on the site.
 Download it or capture as
a screenshot.
 A long URL will create a
dense QR code, so
shortening it is a good
idea.

29. How do you read QR codes?
i-nigma App

30. Library Treasure Hunt
Charles Darwin University Library
http://libguides.cdu.edu.au/content.php?pid=181308&sid=1524701

31. University of Central Florida Libraries
http://www.slideshare.net/akapucu/qr-codes-in-an-academic-setting

32. Bedfordshire University Library
http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/whoweare/apps

33. MIT – Lewis Music Library
http://libraries.mit.edu/sites/news/mobile-music-codes/6266/

34. Mosio – Text a Librarian
http://www.textalibrarian.com

35. App Curation
Librarians can play an important role in helping patrons discover
and use apps that offer ready access to reliable information.
“Information professionals should have a knowledge of these, just
like they’ve always traditionally had a knowledge about reference
books and other sources...
This is a way to get users information that they can use not only in
their professional life but, in some cases, in their personal life. And
people need a lot of help discovering and understanding what apps
are out there and what they can do.”
http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2013/02/mobile/mobile-evolution/
Image from www.technologytell.com

36. App Curators
http://libguides.law.ucla.edu/mobilelegalapps
http://libguides.mit.edu/content.php?pid=174869&sid=1481857

37. Top 30 Library iPhone Apps
 Part 1 - http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2010/top-30-
library-iphone-apps-%E2%80%93-part-1/
 Part 2 - http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2010/top-30-
library-iphone-apps-%E2%80%93-part-2/
 Part 3 - http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2010/top-30-
library-iphone-apps-%E2%80%93-part-3/

38. What are Public Libraries Doing?

39. District of Columbia Public Library
DCPL have made their code open source so that other libraries can build their own iPhone apps.

40. Minuteman Library Network
Greater Boston Area

41. “Library Anywhere is a
mobile catalogue for any
library. It provides both
mobile web (which works on
any phone with a web
browser), and native apps*
for iPhone, iTouch, and
iPad, as well as Android
and Blackberry.”
(Source: www.bowkerinfo.com)

42. NYPL – Find the Future Game
This game promotes the idea that “libraries aren't just about collecting knowledge from the past, they're also a place to inspire big
ideas and world changing dreams for the future.”
http://www.fastcompany.com/1744095/jane-mcgonigal-fixes-reality-at-the-new-york-public-library
Find the Future game trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8HjjMv4LvbM
How to play
http://game.nypl.org/how_to_play#/

43. New York Underground Library
© Max Pilwat, Keri Tan and Ferdi Rodriguez
Download 10 pages of a book
to read on the Subway where
there is no internet. Then
borrow the book from the
NYPL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VFK2YfYfxo

44. GALE AccessMyLibrary
This iPhone app from Gale uses GPS to find libraries within a 16 km radius of your location.
You can then select a library and access all its Gale electronic resources (USA only)

45. Download 3 free
songs each week from
the Sony music
collection, using your
library card.
“The Freegal™ Mobile Application
is a completely free and legal way
to access a collection of almost 3
million MP3 songs via your local,
subscribing library.
The Freegal offering includes
many of today’s top artists, a
fantastic retrospective collection,
and music from around the
world.”
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.l
ibraryideas.freegalmusic&hl=en

46. My Info Quest – Text a Librarian
http://myinfoquest.info

47. Treasures of the Bavarian State Library
Mobile App
“Search some of the most famous and most precious works of the written cultural heritage of mankind.”

48. SCVNGR Hunt – State Library Qld
‘Location Based Gaming – meeting the
overwhelming demand for school visits.’
www.usq.edu.au/~/media/USQ/m-libraries/Barron.ashx

49. What are School Libraries Doing?

50. “I am convinced
that in the future,
digital information
will primarily, if
not exclusively,
be accessed via
mobile devices.”
(Source: Dr. Klaus Ceynowa,
Deputy Director General,
Bavarian State Library)
Image from PhotoDune

51. Effective Anytime, Anywhere Learning
Mobile learning is growing by leaps and bounds, and
mobile learning devices are no longer restricted to the
classroom.
Most students, including young students, own or have
access to cell phones, iPods, tablets, or other
handheld devices - and school administrators are
quickly realizing that students can use those devices
to access school websites, classroom assignments,
and other educational resources from both school
and home.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2012/03/26/mobile-learning-effective-anytime-anywhere-education

52. In many ways, teens represent the leading edge of
mobile connectivity... always-on connections that move
with them throughout the day.
(2013 PEW Internet Research – Teens and Technology)
http://www.marketplace.org/topics/tech/10-ways-your-teenager-using-internet

53. What could school libraries be doing?
• Recommend educational and research apps
• Recommend ereaders, ebooks and audiobooks
• Make the library catalogue available via smartphone
• Use QR codes to take users to instructional podcasts and
videos
• SMS alerts for marketing
• Ask a Librarian service
• Citation creation
• Database access
• Use Twitter and Facebook for marketing

54. Locating Books
Library Thing for
Libraries adds QR
codes to the
catalogue.
Once scanned
these show you the
book cover and
details to make
searching easier.

55. App Curators
‘As our collections are
changing, our role as the
curator is ... coming to the fore
again.
Now we’re being asked to
curate collections of apps for
the devices we check out, such
as iPods and iPads.’
http://librarienne.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/the-new-old-
librarian-as-curator/

56. Research Apps
Major database providers such as EBSCO, Gale, and ProQuest now offer
native apps that allow librarians and patrons to conduct database
searches with their mobile devices...
Other free or inexpensive apps available from authoritative sources:
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),
• Eurostat
• U.S. Census
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),
• Internet Movie Database, and the Allmusic database
http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2013/02/mobile/mobile-evolution/

57. Referencing
 iCite is the mobile version of
WriteCite. It creates the
reference as you fill in the
required fields.
 EasyBib lets you scan book
ISBNs to instantly create
citations using APA, MLA or
Chicago style.
http://drafts.easybib.com/post/5581628341/easybib-releases-mobile-
app

58. eBooks and Audiobooks
http://www.squidoo.com/top-5-android-ebook-apps

59. LibGuides
The Unquiet Library –
LibGuide app
http://theunquietlibrary.libguides.com/content.php?pid=
164015&sid=1383870

60. JSTOR & EBSCO

61. Britannica Kids
Individual mobile apps

63. Winksite – Mobile Website Builder
“Last weekend, I created a mobile
website for my library using Winksite. It
was all pretty easy, no big learning
curve, and best of all - FREE.
I like it because the site also
generates a QR code so you can scan
it from your monitor to your cell phone
and take the site with you anywhere.”
See it at
http://cpsproflib.wikispaces.com/mobilary
(Source: Lisa Perez, ISTE Community Ning)

64. Winksite – Mobile Website Builder
http://winksite.com

65. BrightKite

66. QR Code Quest Scavenger Hunt
http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2012/05/qr-code-quest-scavenger-hunt-part-deux.html
Gwyneth Jones

67. BGS Open Day - QR Codes
Download documents at http://www.scribd.com/bgslibrary

68. 2012
Facebook
Statistics
• Each day, @facebook Pages
have created 5.3 billion fans
• More than 150 million active
users currently access
@facebook through their
mobile device
http://blog.kissmetrics.com/facebook-statistics/

69. The Average Facebook User...
• Has 130 friends
• Makes 8 friend requests per
month
• Spends 15 hours/month using
Facebook
• Visits Facebook 40
times/month, and spends 23
minutes/visit
• Is connected to 80
organizational Facebook
Pages, Groups, and Events
(Source: David Lee King, TSC Public Library Manager)
Image from PhotoDune

70. Facebook in Schools
The Unquiet Library

71. Twitter and Libraries
Libraries in general
can no longer wait
for patrons to come
to them, but must
reach out to their
patrons in new and
innovative ways.
Mobile = 40% of all tweets
(Source: KPCB op 10 Mobile Trends)

72. iTunesU K-12

73. Library Content - On the Move
 Library websites  SMS notifications –
broadtexter.com = free
 Library instruction
 eBooks and audiobooks
 Content collections
 Search the catalogue
 Databases –
AccesMyLibrary – Gale  Ask a librarian
 EBSCO Mobile  Twitter and Facebook
 Audio tours  Other educational apps
 QR codes – Univ of Bath  iTunes U K-12
Library, link to authors
 Augmented reality – app
for shelf reading

74. Image from PhotoDune

75. Learn More
 The Library in Your Pocket: Mobile Trends for Libraries
http://www.slideshare.net/librarianmer/the-library-in-your-pocket-mobile-trends-for-libraries
 Libraries to Go: Mobile Tech in Libraries
http://www.slideshare.net/ellyssa/libraries-to-go-mobile-tech-in-libraries-presentation
 Mobile Trends – 2011 – Trending the Future
http://www.slideshare.net/space150/mobile-trends-june-2011
 Experimenting with Mobile Technologies in Libraries
http://www.slideshare.net/joeyanne/experimenting-with-mobiletechnologiesinlibraries

76. Cathy Oxley
Director of Information Services
Brisbane Grammar School
cathy.oxley@brisbanegrammar.com