Mobile Services IN CONNECTICUT LIBRARIES ROLE OF LIBRARIES

Mobile Services IN CONNECTICUT LIBRARIES

ROLE OF LIBRARIES: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OLD, TRADITIONAL SPACE NEW, MODERN SPACE

Definition of 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) - 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.

POPULATION USE IN LIBRARIES � 33% 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 Results 1. 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 Wi. Fi for patrons with mobile devices? -84 public libraries -25 academic libraries

Other Mobile Services: -Mobile map of library

Comparison of Hartford and Fairfield County Public Library Mobile Services 18 16 Number of Libraries 14 12 10 8 Hartford 6 Fairfield 4 2 0 Have SMS Provide MOPAC Reserves Using Phone Access Audio Books Access to E- Access to EBooks readers Mobile Services Laptop Loans Incorporate Podcasts Mobile Phone Database Access Free Wi-Fi

Comparison of the Percentage of Public and Academic Libraries in Connecticut with Specific Mobile Services 90% 80% 70% Percentage 60% 50% 40% Public 30% Academic 20% 10% 0% Have SMS Provide MOPAC Reserves Using Phone Access Audio Books Access to E-Access to EBooks readers Mobile Services Laptop Loans Incorporate Podcasts Mobile Free Wi-Fi Phone Database Access

New Haven County Public Library Survey Results (Out of 15 Libraries) 16 14 Number of Libraries 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Have SMS Provide MOPAC Reserves Access Audio Access to E- Laptop Loans Incorporate Using Phone Books readers Podcasts Mobile Services Mobile Phone Database Access Free Wi-Fi

Litchfield County Public Library Survey Results (Out of 17 Libraries) 16 14 Number of Libraries 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Have SMS Provide MOPAC Reserves Access Audio Access to E- Laptop Loans Incorporate Using Phone Books readers Podcasts Mobile Services Mobile Phone Database Access Free Wi-Fi

Middlesex County Public Library Survey Results (Out of 11 Libraries) 12 Number of Libraries 10 8 6 4 2 0 Have SMS Provide MOPAC Reserves Access Audio Access to E- Laptop Loans Incorporate Using Phone Books readers Podcasts Mobile Services Mobile Phone Database Access Free Wi-Fi

Comparison of Tolland Windham County Public Library Mobile Services 12 Number of Libraries 10 8 6 Tolland 4 Windham 2 0 Have SMS Provide MOPAC Reserves Using Phone Access Audio Books Access to E- Access to EBooks readers Mobile Services Laptop Loans Incorporate Podcasts Mobile Free Wi-Fi Phone Database Access