Computers in Libraries Conference: Day Three

Here we go with the final day of Computers in Libraries 2010! Looks like this will be a day filled with information about mobile technology.

Mobile Literacy: Competencies for Mobile Tech
Presented by Joe Murphy, Yale Science Libraries http://bit.ly/cil2010moblit

Summary: "The mobile literate librarian is fluent with mobile technology, its impacts on libraries, and its applications to library services. Librarians possessing mobile literacy skills are familiar with the expectations of mobile culture and are prepared for providing services in and with mobile technologies."

3 major parts of mobile literacy:
Being familiar with the technologies themselves. Recognizing that the tools themselves are legitimate targets for information delivery. Awareness of the impact of mobile technology.

Expectations: When people are engaging information through mobile tech, they expect concise and timely interaction.

We don't just react to mobile tech - we embrace it and lead society in its use.

Mobile Literacy: Being aware of the impact of mobile tech. It is more important that we understand how mobile tech impacts info delivery than on how to use gadgets.

Framework for mobile literacy: knowing, applying, information literacy

Knowing:
A baseline for technology terminology for functioning efficiently as an info pro in a mobile landscape. Awareness of trend,including scope & stats. Familiarity with major technologies: current technologies and uses/functions.

Impact:
How mobile tech is affecting: information literacy, information engagement, expectations, physical library, and roles of librarians. What the concerns are for privacy, DRM, etc. Understand new norms, such as privacy vs. sharing.

Applying/Services/Skills:
How to enter the mobile culture. How to deliver services in mobile landscape. New tools, new skills, management, developing strategies, flexibility. Developing strategies and priorities is important.


Developing and Designing for Mobile
Presented by Jeff Wisniewski, Web Services Librarian, University of Pittsburgh

By 2013-2014, mobile use will surpass desktop use.

Mobile site vs. mobile apps
Access: app offline and online, mobile web online only.
Barrier to entry: higher for app, lower for mobile web. Android vs. iPhone, etc.
Platform(s): multiple for app, single for mobile web.
Updates: cyclical for app, continuous for mobile web.
Coolness quotient: mobile app high, mobile app moderate.

Mobile users have immediate need for information. Don’t care about your policies. They are interested in things that satisfy an immediate information need.

Mobile usability: small screens, difficult input, speed/latency.

“Don’t make me think” and “Don’t make me type”

Content:
Directions, hours, ask a librarian and text a librarian, contact info. This is stuff that is fairly easy and already exists.
What we would love to have, but usually don’t: catalog search and actions, article search and actions. Have to be able to do something with what you find: Text/save/email the info you find. Need to be able to take action.
Be selective…information on a need to know basis.
Repurpose existing info: podcasts

m.home
Create a new mobile optimized homepage, don’t retrofit your existing home page.
Easter then trying to mobile-optimize your existing one.
Single column
Single lines
Flattened hierarchy
Short titles

Simple standard HTML + CSS
Mobile Document Type: DTD
Most of the newest mobile browsers, as part of their “full web motto, ignore “handheld” style sheets.

Images: do you really need the image? Use auto resize code.

Optimizing for mobile
Combine dependent files
Minify your javascript and CSS
Tell Google – register with Google.
Register your library with Google Small Business Center for Local Business Search awareness
Validate your code.

Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress, site generators: Have mobile templates.


From Podcasts to Blogs and Beyond
Scherelene Schatz: JerseyCat and jerseyClicks Project Manager
Presentation online at http://conferences.infotoday.com/documents/84/E303_Schatz.pdf

This presentation was about how to set up and host a webinar. Unfortunately, the presenter only mentioned Go To Meeting software, which is proprietary. I would like to try DimDim, which is open source webinar hosting software. What a great idea to offer staff training through a webinar!


Podcasting for Instruction Librarians
Presented by Jason Puckett, Georgia State University and Rachel Borchardt, American University
Facebook: Adventures in Library Instruction

Producing a podcast is nearly free. Needs:
A headset with a microphone.
Free software: Audacity (any OS) or GarageBand (Mac)
Publish to a free blog: Wordpress has a free plug-in called "Podpress" (http://www.mightyseek.com/podpress)

Podcasts:
Library Survival Guide (Emory University). Short episodes on fun things to do in the library, etc.

Tips:
If you read from a script, it sounds like you are reading from a script. Avoid that.
If you have two people, have a natural conversation.

Podcast ideas:
-Library Myth Busters - bust myths of libraries and librarians
-What's New at the Library (use a podcast for marketing)
-TischLibrary at Tufts: library how-to's
-Arizona State University Libraries: "Library Minute" (includes video, also published on YouTube)
-Worthington Libraries - career talks, summer reading talks, etc. Something for all ages!
-DeKalb County Public Library - talks with presenters who come to the library
-Ohio University Libraries - Tours. Update with episodes by collections, etc.

Best practices blog
http://adlibinstruction.blogspot.com

Could collaborate with others through Skype if you're not in the same building. Audacity will record Skype conversations.

Put file on Archive.org, which will host freely.
Free storage online 2GB: Dropbox. http://www.getdropbox.com


The other two sessions of the day went a bit over my head with talk of mobile app programming, so I'll end my report here! Here are some links to other interesting presentations at the conference that overlapped with sessions I attended:

Cloud Computing in Practice: Digital Video Mashups
Presented by Jason Clark, Montana State University Libraries
http://conferences.infotoday.com/documents/84/C304_Clark.pdf

Real Time Collaboration Tools
Presented by Karen Huffman, National Geographic Society
http://bit.ly/bhn7RZ

Bing Tips
Presented by Marydee Ojala, Editor, ONLINE: Exploring Technology & Resources for Information Professionals
http://bit.ly/b9kDy2