MLA Conference - The Net-Geners Are Calling. Can You Answer?

Alice B. Ruleman, Access Services Librarian from the James C. Kirkpatrick Library at the University of Central Missouri is discussing net-geners as library users and how mobile technology fits into the library.

2008 Horizon Report
-Mobile broadband name as one of 6 major emerging tehcnologies
-Expected to have a significant impact on education within 3-5 years
-Students expect mobile access

Pew Internet Report
-The smartphone will be the significant source of how users access the internet

Mobile technology is handheld, accesses the internet and also has some other features.

Net-Geners also called Millennials, have always grown up with technology, they have always been connected.

People would rather give up their computer and tv, than to give up their cell phone.

***I say that makes sense, since you can access tv and computer apps on your cell phone anyway.***

1990 - 11 million mobile phones
2005 - 2.2 billion mobile phones
50% of Americans subscribe to services
90% of Asians subscribe to services

Worldcat is available in a mobile format. Can look up a book, see the library that is closest to you that owns the book, give you the phone number for the library, and also give you the directions to the library.

***It really is amazing how many mobile apps are available - almost anything that you can think of. It shows how people really are wanting mobile services.***

AirPAC - Innovative's mobile online catalog for libraries to use for users.

M-Libraries - wiki on mobile libraries http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=M-Libraries

Reaching your mobile patrons
-Texting reference
-Twitter
-Ebooks for mobile
-Mobile library tours
-Texting courtesy/Holds/Overdue notices

My thoughts - this was a good session that really made me realize how our library is lagging behind. However it is not necessarily because we are not aware, it is more because of money, time, and staffing. Even though we may be lacking in those three areas, we do need to discuss how we could incorporate some mobile apps into our services for our students. Good strategic planning discussion.