In this presentation, I will share what’s going on with mobile tech, why it’s getting so important for a library to plan for mobile, and what types of mobile and app-based things a library should plan for.
But first - favorite app! Mine - Shazam for music discovery, evernote (trying it finally), Tweetbot for twitter.
How about you? Games? Not a game, but a fun app for images - WordSwag -
easily add words to images (for Instagram and Facebook). Toronto airport was BUSY yesterday!
Here - morning reading. Books, newspapers.
For me - Guitar tuner, books, calendar/daytimer, clocks, watches, camera. The gym! Magazines. The weatherman. Going to the bank. look at this…
my first page of apps:
all on one phone, instead of many devices. It’s easy and fits in my pocket.
that’s part of why smartphones are so popular. And it’s not just me. Let’s look at some stats:
1 in every 5 people in the world owns a smartphone (wallstreetdaily)
75% of us owns smartphones - http://www.telecomstechnews.com/news/2015/feb/11/us-smartphone-penetration-reaches-75-percent/
more like 85-86% for younger, less for older. Very similar stats for Canada.
what are we doing on them? social media & multimedia … and getting lost with Maps.
http://www.telecomstechnews.com/news/2015/feb/11/us-smartphone-penetration-reaches-75-percent/
Different concept - just like what my 19 year old does.
23% are “cell mostly” internet users - older girls are especially likely to be cell mostly internet users.
34% of teen girls ages 14-17 mostly go online using their cell phone - 24% of teen boys.
So these kids use their phone for everything. I’ve head of kids who write their 3-page paper using their smartphone.
91% of people fall asleep within arms reach of their mobile device - forbes
Favorite consumption platform, passed up newspaper & magazines (forbes)
Favorite consumption platform, passed up newspaper & magazines (forbes)
99% use their device every day (forbes)
Favorite consumption platform, passed up newspaper & magazines (forbes)
99% use their device every day (forbes)
over half do web searches on their mobile device every day (forbes)
tablet-based devices are replacing things, too. cash registers - using iPads and Square now. PT’s Coffee down the road does this! It’s a cash register … it’s also a mobile device.
Have you seen one of these in a taxi? I have…
Have you thought about how patrons are using mobile devices in your building? Not just an “at work” or “at home” thing.
why might someone want to use their mobile device in your building?
My library - Customers are unplugging lamps to use power.
We could offer power cables, chargers, sharing stations
USB plugs on outlets
more comfy seating - thinking the north reading room
here’s how we’ve responded to that. A pilot project. A box, a power strip, and a bunch of cables. Ta-da! Instant charging station.
texting call numbers used to be HOT.
Not sure it’s really needed anymore??? Because, you know … it’s just on my phone.
asking a question? phone, text (still important here), chat, social media, etc.
Make sure mobile display is readable, responsive, etc on all normal mobile devices!
Why?
Because of this. Google Analytics stats for August 2014. 33% of my library website users are using it via some type of mobile device. Growing slowly - under 30% about a year ago.
this is HUGE for the library.
that’s where your customers are - where they’re gathering and what they’re using.
it’s growing - reach 2/3’s of your audience.
easiest access to the library - ever! Because it’s in your pocket.
8 ways to respond to these mobile trends
First order of business. Get the elephant in the room in order. Your website. Make it work on mobile devices. Go Responsive Design - that’s the new thing. And it is awesome. And easy (Wordpress = get a responsive theme & customize).
This is next. it’s the thing everyone wants access to. Marshall will tell you this!
responsive, mobile-friendly, or app-based.
But make it work on a phone!
texting call numbers - maybe.
texting overdue notices. Yes.
Your library has these. overdrive, hoopla, etc.
have a dedicated page to them
an example - accesses all our digital stuff like ebooks and music.
Mid-Continent Public Library’s Mobile Apps page - have to download these from iTunes/Google Play
phone - duh
email - duh
web-based chat - duh
text message!
social media! Facebook and twitter.
Really anywhere you have a presence, expect a question. They’ll expect an answer.
Mobile-ready buildings:
comfy chairs
with power/charging close by
great wifi - not “wishy-washy” wifi. This will cost money.
share what you do on social media
show employment spike
do more like this
not too much though
staff use:
note taking, roving reference
kids and learning!
in the library - learning-based and fun apps, art and music apps. Games.
partner with schools - my son’s school & ipads.
create some pad-based projects
What if your library director or a board member asks you - “don’t we need a smartphone app Those are hot.” ??
Easy decision.
Go responsive, and you’re done. Really - do this first. It kills two birds with one stone. website AND mobile site. Most of your mobile customers will use it.
build an app. Need phone features like camera, location?
You’ll need three of them - iphone, android, windows. Multiple versions.
Mobile is growing FAST.
And it will look different in 5 years time. This is just the beginning
and I think that’s exciting!
Mobile is growing FAST.
And it will look different in 5 years time. This is just the beginning
and I think that’s exciting!
Mobile is growing FAST.
And it will look different in 5 years time. This is just the beginning
and I think that’s exciting!
