Enhancing Mobility: Integrating New Services into Your Library's Mobile Platform to Increase Traffic

• Published in: Journal of library & information services in distance learning Vol. 8; no. 3-4; pp. 263 - 274
• Main Author: Felts, John W.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester Routledge 02.10.2014; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Access to Information; Bridging; Cellular telephones; Devices; Electronic Libraries; Exact sciences and technology; Handheld Devices; Implementation; Improvement Programs; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Information service management; Integrated Activities; Internet resources; Libraries; Library and documentation centre management; Library Automation; Library Development; Library Materials; Library resources; Library Services; Location-based services; mobile native apps; mobile platforms; mobile web apps; Outreach Programs; Platforms; Portable computers; Sciences and techniques of general use; Software; South Carolina; Technology Integration; Traffic flow; Trends; Use; Use statistics; User Needs (Information); User Satisfaction (Information); User service management; User services; South Carolina; Discoveries; library services; Implementation; mobile platforms; Statistical data; library resources; Production; World wide web; Computer; Autochthonous; Solution; Availability; Integration; Use; Trend; Service; Increase; mobile native apps; Mobile; Internet chat; mobile web apps; Environment; Metric; Library; Added value
• ISSN: 1533-290X; 1533-2918
• DOI: 10.1080/1533290X.2014.945872

Kimbel Library launched its mobile environment and ran it in full production for several months yet usage patterns were quite low and flat. The library only saw a substantial increase in usage when new, value-added services were integrated into this platform. Upon implementing and integrating discovery services, chat and SMS capabilities, and computer availability maps into our mobile environment the library witnessed and continues to see a steady and significant increase in usage. These services, any issues encountered in their integration, and solutions to resolve these issues are identified, and usage trends and overall increases in mobile platform usage are revealed. Web vs. native app usage trends, devices used, and other metrics and statistical information will be assessed. This article will also explore possible future enhancements to our mobile services, such as geolocation and location-based services for enhancing library instruction, tutorials, library tours, and the possible development of an augmented reality environment for bridging the gap between physical and online resources and services.