Smart Librarians for Smart

Generation: Using Technology Apps

to Our Advantage

by

Dr. F. Nike Onifade

Federal University of Agriculture,

Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Introduction

• The high increase in the demand for informationworldwide has led to increase access to theinternet and mobile communication

• Studies revealed that over 3 trillion people areusing the internet globally out of which manypeople spend about 20% of their time online viapersonal computers and 30% via mobile device.

- Miyanda Chitumbo (2015).

• In fact Information communication technology isimpacting all aspect of our lives

Information Needs

Internet

Browsing

Downloading /uploading

Sending

Documents

Mails. e.t.c

Surfing

The Smart Generation

• The largest group of library users are young

generation who are mainly students and young

professionals

• This generation are surrounded and immersed to

a greater extend by technology; laptops, tablets,

smartphones, and handheld devices of every size

and shapes - Gardners and Davies (2014)

PC/ Mobile Devices

Smart Generation• This generation expects that every aspect of life

will be quick, efficient, streamlined, available

immediately on demand. . .

• They want to accomplish their desires as quickly

and efficiently as possible.

• Therefore, the generation of users that our

libraries serve these days can be regarded as

‘smart generation’ or ‘jet age’

Smart Librarians

• For the library to be relevant to the present day library users, librarians should also be smart

Who are Smart Librarians?

• Smart librarians are internet compliant

• They are knowledgeable about modern mobile apps

• They should understand how to use social media

• They must be able to explore the use of technology to

their advantage

• Are you one? If not join now!!!

What are Mobile and Technological Apps?

• They are basically self contained programs used to

enhance existing functionality in a simple more user-

friendly way on our devices

• These apps allow people to learn new things, share

experiences and information with one another

• They are basically created to make life easier.

• Libraries are adopting many of these apps to render

services so that they can meet their users where they are.

• Technological apps therefore, enhances library services

and add value to librarianship as a profession

Lets put our hand on some apps

WhatsApp

• This a mobile application that allows exchange of image,

messages, videos and audio clips through smartphones.

• It is internet compliance hence, you must be connected to

the internet before it can work on your phone

• It was founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Kourm

• In 2015, WhatsApp was the most globally popular app

with over 800million active users- Negi (2015)

How to set it up

Download the application by visiting1. https://www.whatsapp.com/download/

2. Install the application on your phone

3. There are many features you can use on the menu;

Menu

• New group

• New broadcast

• WhatsApp Web

• Status

• Settings

Google Apps

• Google Apps is a package of cloud-based

services provided by Google

• These apps provide an online alternative to

traditional office suites, thus, they can be

regarded as an online office suite.

• Google+ was opened to a small number of users to test in June 2011. Google then gave some of those initial users invitations to invite a small number of their contacts. The service has since been opened up to everyone. It was given an overhaul in April, 2012.

How to set it up

• You need to create an account, visit

Plus goggle.com

Build your circle

• The most important and useful part

of Google+ is your Circles.

• Circles allow you to categorize your

friends in the most appropriate ways.

• For instance, when you add a

relative of yours on Google+, you

can add them to your “Family”

circle; add your co-workers to your

“Work” circle, and so on.

Google Doc• Works like Microsoft word document,

• Allows you to create and edit document online

• Enhance collaboration on publishing as writers can work on the same document at the same time.

• All your changes are automatically save

• You can also conduct your search on Google without leaving the document.

• Advantage is that all your documents are available and safe online and you can access it anywhere

• Lets do some practical

• Go to https://apps.google.com/intx/en/products/docs/

Skype• Skype is Microsoft product

• You can share experiences with the people that

matter to you, wherever they are, through

Skype.

• You can celebrate events, share your screen,

hold meeting.

• All these are possible with Skype’s text, voice

and video features

Using Skype

• Visit www.skype.com

• Download Skype and install it

• Create a Skype account

• Select getting started from menu

• Add friends

• Make call to another computer

• You can add multiple callers to create

conference call.

Other things you can do

• You can chat on skype

• You can make a video call

• You can make call to a regular cell phone or

landlines

When you keep exploring the application you

will discover other useful ways of use it

Reference1. Miyanda Chitumbo, E (2015) Social Media Tools for Academic

Library Service. International Journal of Humanities and

Social Science Innovations 4(9) 33-40.

2. Jharotia, a (2015) Use of Smartphone in Library Service with

Special Reference of WhatsApp Application. A paper delivered at

International Conference-Grey to Green, at Delhi volume1retrieved

on June 25, from www.researchgate/publication/279334943_use_

3. Cutlack, G (2013) What are Apps and How do they work with your

smartphones? Retrieved on June 25, 2016 from

www.teachradar.com/news/phoneanlcommunications/r

4. Gardner, H and Davis, K (2014) The App Generation: How

Technology is Changing us.

5. Negi, D (2015 ) WhatsApp for Smart Librarians

It’s been a wonderful time

Thank you for your time!