Post on 27-Mar-2015
The Handheld Library
Integrating Handheld Technology in Information Services
Super Conference Session 1207Friday, February 3rd
This is Kurt.
Kurt is a typical 11 year old boy.
He likes his Converse.
Andhisdog
Monty.
KurtLOVES
toplayhis
guitar!
In fact, you’re
listeningto him right now!
Kurt likes to clown.
And has no idea that he might be at
Mohawk
In about 5 years!
BRAINtogo
• Background – why pilot handhelds?• Investigation – why a Treo?• Treo Discovery & Project Plan
– unexpected bonus of the pilot!– information services– website– mobile reference
• Challenges & Successes• Future?
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• Library @ Mohawk College Strategic Plan– Connecting you with the
right information at the right time.
• Kurt – A Junior Bash at a public,
elementary school in Virgil, Ontario (pop. 2500)
• Net Generation Students and Libraries– Joan K. Lippincott
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Why pilot a handheld device?
“The Treo has features & functionality & flexibilitythat will best compliment the delivery of
existing information services at the Library @ Mohawk.”
Similarities:•Product pricing and connectivity plans
•Features & functionality
It really came down to 2 points:•Palm “connection”
•Service @ retail point
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Why not use a Blackberry?
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Phone• phone reference service at all five Library @ Mohawk locations
Email• email reference service: askme@mohawkcollege.ca
IM• instant messaging reference service: librarymohawk@hotmail.com & librarymohawk@yahoo.ca
Interactive Chat• virtual reference:
AsktheBRAIN
Browser• Award winning Library website:
TheBRAIN
brain.mohawkcollege.ca
Pilot• mobile reference service at Brantford campus?
Treo Discovery–Existing Services
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• Information Services– IM service
– Email service
– Phone service
• TheBRAIN website– wml website
• Mobile reference pilot– Brantford Campus
Treo Discovery–Targeted Services
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Project Plan
• Information Services• Brantford Pilot• Website• Plan
BRANDING
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Project Plan-Branding
• All existing information services had unique names = confusion
• Develop existing Library @ Mohawk brand, TheBRAIN
• Express the concept of mobility• Intuitive & recognizable to students• Used by all information services
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Information Services
• Phone service– Cell number vs. College number?– 905.516.9072– Monday – Friday – 8:30am – 4:30pm
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Information Services
• Email service– Communication between Treo & College
email server– BRAINtogo@mohawkcollege.ca– Monday – Friday– 8:30am – 4:30pm
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Information Services
• IM service– Purchased and installed VeriChat software– BRAINtogo@hotmail.com– BRAINtogo@yahoo.ca– Presently monitored by e-Library staff– 7 days a week– Regular e-Library hours
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Web Site
• Existing website not compatible with Treo• Developed wml website• BRAINtogo.mohawkcollege.ca • Needed to review site on other devices
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•Btg @ Brantford Pilot•Challenges•Successes•Future•Questions
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Brantford Pilot
• BRAINtogo@Brantford• When and where• Marketing• Collaboration
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Challenges
• Cost: equipment, staffing and time• Conceptual• Infrastructure• User uptake• Content development
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Successes
• PDA friendly website – leading the college• Targeted service delivery• Positive feedback• Marketing
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Future
• Extend • Convergence• Training and support• Hotsyncing stations• PDA compatibility
laurie.morrison@mohawkcollege.ca
john.dunn@mohawkcollege.ca
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