Mobile Computing

Mobile computing is the use of “a portable computing device such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone” (The Computer Language Company, Inc., 2014, para. 1).  Pew Research Center’s research study indicated that 90 percent of American adults own a cell phone, 58 percent of American adults own a smartphone, 32 percent of American adults own an e-reader, and 42 percent of American adults own a tablet computer.  Mobile phones, either cell phones or smartphones, are used by 63 percent of American adults to access the Internet; whereas, the mobile phone is used the majority of the time to access the Internet by 34 percent of American adult mobile phone owners.  The majority of mobile phone owners uses their phones to send or receive text messages, access the Internet, send or receive email, download apps, or get directions.  (Pew Research Center, 2014)

Mobile devices have made it possible for people to work from anywhere or anytime they want to work.  Since the majority of companies only provide employees with desktop stations, employees are choosing to use their own mobile device for work.  A research study conducted by Intel on the use of mobile devices in the workplace indicated that 57 percent of mobile users are using notebooks in which 39 percent are using their personally owned notebook; 47 percent of mobile users are using smart phones in which 77 percent are using their personally owned smartphone; and 18 percent of mobile users are using tablets in which 61 percent are using their personally owned tablet.  (Intel Corporation, 2013)

With the increase of mobile devices, libraries will need to provide new services.  Libraries have added various mobile services for their mobile patrons, such as text messaging reference services, as well as library websites and library catalogs that are mobile friendly.  Libraries are also working to improve the mobile access to databases.  The surge in the use of e-books in libraries in 2011, along with the use of e-readers and e-reading apps, has forced libraries to improve their offering of e-books.  With the increase in the use of mobile devices and e-books, libraries will increase the loaning of mobile devices.  Therefore, libraries should incorporate training and skill development to use the various mobile services.  Strategic planning should also address mobile library services.  (Thomas, 2012)

According to the 2010 Mobile Library Survey, there are four obstacles to implementing mobile services.  These obstacles include “limited or low budget, competing priorities, overburdened library technologists and/or insufficient skills on site, and the overall perception that mobile services were not necessary” (Thomas, 2012, para. 17).  The use of mobile library website or a text messaging service will help to address the immediate needs of the library’s patrons.  Some of the emerging technologies that may have an impact on the future of libraries include mobile payment services, check-ins and gamification, social sharing, and augmented reality tours.  (Thomas, 2012)

References:

Daly, J. (2013). Mobile-devices-statistics-education-300. [Photograph]. Retrieved on May 4, 2004 from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2013/02/mobile-computing-just-became-third-digital-revolution-last-decade-infographic

Intel Corporation. (2013). Mobile computing trends: Insight in today’s workforce.  Retrieved from http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/case-studies/mobile-computing-trends-for-the-workforce-study.pdf

Pew Research Center. (2014). Mobile technology fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/

The Computer Language Company, Inc. (2014). Definition of mobile computing.  Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/47137/mobile-computing

Thomas, L. C. (2012). The state of mobile in libraries 2012. Retrieved from http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/02/mobile/the-state-of-mobile-in-libraries-2012/

Advantages and Disadvantages of Adopting Electronic Resources in Libraries

The advancement of technology has brought about changes in the services and collection development of libraries. (Mullen, 2013)  Along with the changes to libraries, the advancement of technology has also changed the way patrons prefer to search for information.  (Han, 2012)  Libraries were once viewed as a physical place where a person could search for information, conduct research, and borrow books. Presently, libraries are “no longer bound by walls” (Mullen, 2013, para. 2).  Libraries are now able to provide patrons with more convenient services, such as offering more electronic resources.  These services allow the patrons to visit the library virtually instead of having to physically walk into the library facilities.  (Mullen, 2013) 

According to Matt Goldner, the Product & Technology Advocate from Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (OCLC), the adoption of electronic resources provides library patrons with several benefits.  However, the two most important benefits are the quick and remote access to resources and the amount of resources available.  Instead of having to travel to the library, patrons can access resources electronically from virtually anywhere they have an Internet connection.  (Han, 2012)

Goldner also indicated several issues or concerns that go along with the use or adoption of electronic resources.  Librarians are concerned that many college students are using Wikipedia, search engines, and other online resources as their primary research resources instead of using library websites, electronic journals or online databases.  Librarians also have the task of managing electronic resources, which is very different from managing physical materials.  This task can be overwhelming because new kinds of electronic resources are constantly being introduced.  Since electronic resources have varying licensing terms, a librarian can find it very difficult and overwhelming to ensure compliance with licensing and access to electronic resources.  (Han, 2012)  The cost of electronic resources is another issue that librarians must address.   Librarians must decide if usage statistics justify the cost licensing or purchasing electronic resources.  (Koehn & Hawamdeh, 2010)

Librarians need to stay abreast of technological advances that affect the collection development and services offered by libraries, such as the use of electronic resources.  Library patrons reap the benefits of libraries adopting electronic resources, such as quick and remote access to resources and the quantity of resources available.  Therefore, librarians must address the issues and concerns of using or adopting electronic resources, such as cost and licensing issues. (Koehn & Hawamdeh, 2010)

The following video provides varying perspectives on the use of e-books or print books.

References:

Davis, J. (2012, December 17). E-books or print books? Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSUcncNFK74

Han, N. (2012). Managing a 21^st century library collection. Serials Librarian, 63(2), 158-169.

Koehn, S. L. & Hawamdeh. S. (2010). The acquisition and management of electronic resources: Can use justify cost? Library Quarterly, 80 (2), 161.

Mullen, J. (2013). How libraries thrive as technology advances. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeanniey-mullen/library-technology_b_2671383.html

Software, Hardware, and Network Services at Neva Lomason Memorial Library

The Neva Lomason Memorial Library in Carrollton, Georgia, is one of the seventeen libraries in the West Georgia Regional Library System, which covers five counties in west Georgia. (West Georgia Regional Library, n.d.) It is associated with the Georgia Library PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) electronic online library catalog, which provides patrons with access to books and other materials in 140 Georgia counties. (Georgia Public Library Service, 2014) In addition to loaning books, audiobooks, ebooks, and emagazines, the Neva Lomason Memorial Library also provides patrons with access to genealogy resources, educational programs for adults and children, electronic databases, and computers with Internet access.

The Neva Lomason Memorial Library has 24 HP Compaq computers with Internet access for their patrons to use during normal business hours. The computers are equipped with the following software:

• Microsoft Office 2010 – Microsoft Office is a suite of office productivity software, which includes word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), presentation (PowerPoint), and database (Access) applications. The 2010 version also has a note managing application (OneNote), an e-mail client (Outlook), a project managing application (Project), a publication designing application (Publisher), and a collaboration and web publishing application (SharePoint). (Microsoft Corporation, 2014)
• Personal Ancestral File 5.2 -- The Personal Ancestral File 5.2 is a genealogy management software, which allows users to organize their family history. It was provided by the Church of Jesus Church of Latterday Saints. (Crume, 2009)

The computers in the Neva Lomason Memorial Library offered very little software on the public computers. The library staff may consider adding SAT/ACT preparation software for their teen patrons and a resume software package for their adult patrons.

The public computers at the Neva Lomason Memorial Library have several peripheral devices, some input devices and some output devices. The input devices include a keyboard, a mouse, and a CD/DVD drive. Input devices allow commands and information to be entered into the computer. A keyboard allows key strokes or commands to be entered into the computer. A mouse manipulates objects on the computer monitor by clicking the object, which provides instructions to the computer. (PC.net, 2014) The CD/DVD drive reads information on a CD or DVD. The output devices include a monitor and one networked HP laserjet P3105 printer. Output devices produce information processed by a computer into a readable or retrievable form. A monitor displays characters that are entered using a keyboard, images that are entered using a scanner, and movies or songs entered using a CD/DVD drive. A printer transfers graphic or text information from the computer to paper. (PC.net, 2014) The peripheral devices provided by the library are the typical input and output devices used on a computer system. It may be beneficial for the library to provide the patrons with a microphone to input sound, headphones to output sound, and a flatbed scanner to input images.

The peripheral devices can be replaced. The average cost of a USB keyboard is approximately $15. A USB optical mouse typically cost approximately $8. A laser printer typically cost approximately $200. The average cost of a monitor is approximately $100. (Best Buy, 2014)

In the Carrollton area, the Internet service providers include AT&T, XFINITY, and HughesNet Internet. AT&T offers DSL high speed Internet or U-verse high speed Internet. There are four options for Internet service using U-verse high speed Internet, which is based on downstream speeds. The elite option (6 Mbps) cost $51.00, the pro option (3 Mbps) cost $46.00, the express option (1.5 Mbps) cost $41.00, and the basic option (768 K bps) cost $33. The equipment needed for U-verse high speed Internet is a wireless Gateway modem and a battery backup. There are four options for Internet service using DSL high speed Internet. The fastest option (6 Mbps) cost $49.00 per month, the faster option (3 Mbps) cost $44.00 per month, the fast option (1.5 Mbps) cost $39.00 per month, and the basic (768 Kbps) option cost $31.00 per month. The equipment needed for DSL high speed Internet is a Netgear DSL Gateway modem/router, a Motorola DSL modem/router, or a PACE DSL Gateway modem/router. (AT&T, 2014) Comcast XFINITY Internet has four Internet subscription options. The Economy Plus option (3 Mbps) cost $29.95 - $39.95, the Blast option (50 Mbps) cost $58.95- $76.95, the Performance Starter option (6 Mbps) cost $49.95, and the Extreme 105 option (105 Mbps) cost $99.95 - $144.95. Comcast provides a list of compatible DOCSIS devices that should be used to access the Internet with a Comcast XFINITY Internet subscription. (Comcast, 2014) HughesNet Gen4 broadband satellite Internet has four Internet subscription options. The Connect option (5 Mbps) cost $49.99, the Power option (10 Mbps) cost $59.99, the Power Pro option (10 Mbps) cost $79.99, and the Power Max option (15 Mbps) cost $129.99. HughesNet will install a satellite dish and a modem. The lease fee is $9.99 per month for the equipment or the purchase price is $299.98 for the equipment. (Hughes Network System, 2014).

References:

AT&T. (2014). AT&T high speed internet. Retrieved from http://www.att.com/shop/

internet.html

Best Buy. (2014). All printers. Retrieved from http://www.bestbuy.com

Best Buy. (2014). Mice & keyboards. Retrieved from http://www.bestbuy.com

Best Buy. (2014). Monitors. Retrieved from http://www.bestbuy.com

Comcast. (2014). Deals and offers on xfinity from Comcast.  Retrieved from http://www.comcast.com/corporate/shop/productoverview.html

Crume, R. (2009). Personal ancestral file. Retrieved from http://www.familytreemagazine.com/

Georgia Public Library Service. (2014). PINES. Retrieved from http://www.georgialibraries.org/

public/pines.php

Hughes Network System. (2014). HughesNet plans and promotions. Retrieved from

Microsoft Corporation. (2014). Office. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/buy/

PC.net. (2014). Input device. Retrieved from http://pc.net/glossary/definition/inputdevice

West Georgia Regional Library. (n.d.). Branches. Retrieved from http://wgrl.net

West Georgia Regional Library. (n.d.). NLML. [Photograph]. Retrieved on May 4, 2014 from http://wgrl.net