Mobile Devices: A Practical Guide for Librarians

by Ben Rawlins

Overview

As more users expect to use their mobile devices, librarians will want and need to develop the necessary skills to reach this growing user base. Mobile Devices: A Practical Guide for Librarians will aid libraries and librarians as they go through the process of planning, developing, implementing, marketing, and evaluating mobile services. Based on research and experience using and developing for mobile devices, this guides includes information and ideas regarding:

• Why mobile technologies are important for libraries
• Developing mobile websites and applications for specific mobile platforms such as iOS and Android using existing web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript
• Using mobile devices for reference, library instruction, and shelf reading
• Marketing strategies to make users aware of mobile services
• Evaluating mobile services

A must-read for librarians interested in mobile technologies and services, this guide provides librarians with practical information and examples to develop and offer mobile services in their libraries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810892583
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/23/2014
Series:	Practical Guides for Librarians , #12
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Ben Rawlins is the digital services librarian at the Ensor Learning Resource Center at Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY. Ben has developed several mobile websites and applications for the iOS and Android operating systems. He has presented at several national conferences including the LITA National Forum, ALA Midwinter, ALA Annual, and the Handheld Librarian Conference on a variety of topics related to mobile services in libraries. He has co-authored articles that have been published in Kentucky Libraries, The Reference Librarian, and Mobile Library Services: Best Practices.

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Why Mobile Matters Chapter 2. User Expectations and the Impact of Mobile Technologies on Libraries Chapter 3. Deciding and Planning Mobile Library Services and Resources Chapter 4. Developing Mobile Optimized Library Websites Chapter 5. Developing Library Applications for iOS Chapter 6. Developing Library Applications for Android Chapter 7. Mobile Websites and Applications Offered by Library Vendors Chapter 8. Mobile Services and Solutions for Users and Library Personnel Chapter 9. Evaluating and Maintaining Your Mobile Services and Resources Chapter 10. Marketing Your Library’s Mobile Services and Resources Chapter 11. Emerging Mobile Technology Index About the Author

Editorial Reviews

A must-read for any librarian looking to take their library into the mobile world. This book not only offers the why but also the how to get your library up and running.

Michael Sauers

In Mobile Devices: A Practical Guide for Librarians, Ben Rawlins provides a comprehensive look at the mobile landscape and the implications these devices have on library services. There is something here for everyone. From chapters explaining how to build working code to get your mobile presence up and running to discussions about assessment and metrics to determine the value of mobile services and devices, the book is an excellent primer for getting started and learning about the mobile environment for libraries.

Jason Clark