Running Uphill on Purpose

Keeping Pace with the Changing User Demands of the Information Age

Jennifer Sutcliffejsutclif@kennesaw.edu

Presentation for Virtual Services/Systems LibrarianKennesaw State University Sturgis Library

I like to run.

Photo: Zulu Racing

Photo: National Park Service

Hills are a game changer.

In RunningA runner can be doing well,

but then along comes a hill.

Some runners can speed through hills, some keep their pace, and others fall behind.

Energy level and training determine which of these scenarios results.

(Armstrong, 2011)

In TechnologyWhen changes in

technology occur, they require libraries to rethink their strategies.

Librarians must constantly be running to keep pace or speed ahead with user demands for technology.

Budget and preparation determine how well libraries adapt.

Seeking “hills” on purpose…

Will make libraries better.

Association of College and Research Libraries

2012 Top Trends in Academic Libraries

http://crln.acrl.org/content/73/6/311.full

Information Technology

“Technology continues to drive much of the futuristic thinking in libraries.” (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 2012, “Information technology,” para. 1)Libraries are challenged to fulfill “people’s desire for

information and access to social media and networks anytime/anywhere” (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 2012, “Information technology,” para. 1)

Social Media

(Burkhardt, 2010)

(Gaha & Hall, 2012)

Social Media

Social Media

“Social media provides another vein in which to market new library products or initiatives.” (Burkhardt, 2010, para. 2)

Marketing the Sturgis Library Using Social Media

Services

• Events (book sale)

• Info about instruction sessions

• Solicit feedback

• Changes in library technology

Resources

• LibGuides

• Featured databases

• Featured books

• Links to other online resources

Mobile Devices

“Mobile devices are changing the way information is delivered and accessed.” (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 2012, “Mobile environments,” para. 1)

“More than two-third of [students who own mobile devices] use the devices for academic purposes” (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 2012, “Mobile environments,” para. 1)

@Mobile Apps/Sites

• PubMed for Handhelds• WorldCat Local• RefMobile (RefWorks)• EBSCO Databases• Lexis Nexis Academic• Library mobile site

(Kennesaw State University Sturgis Library, 2012)

Mobile Apps/Sites

Mobile Apps/Sites

Targeted Apps

North Carolina State University

WolfWalk Project – self-guided walking tour of the schools campus.

Uses images from university archives.Allows people to experience the value of the

collection.

Webcams – Running cameras placed strategically in areas where students might want to monitor them for crowds.

Study spaces.Library coffee shop.

(Sierra, 2010)

@Targeted Apps

• List study and computer use locations that are currently open (library, student center).

• Webcams that show occupancy of study rooms in Owl Space and 3rd floor.

• Study room reservation mobile site or app that students can go to directly and is easy to view on smaller screens.

?

Convenience“Convenience affects all aspects of information seeking – the selection, accessibility, and use of resources.” (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 2012, “User behaviors and expectations,” para. 1)

Libraries are “competing for user attention,” “hard to use,” “the last resort,” and “inconvenient.” (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 2012, “User behaviors and expectations,” para. 1)

The library website…

Should be convenient.

Convenience

Website Searching

Search boxes should be given “priority placement” on the website (Swanson & Green, 2011, p. 223)

Develop search toolbars so students can search the site directly in their Web browsers

Current library patrons have little patience for complex searching. (Swanson & Green, 2011).

Web Design Best Practices

• No library jargon• A help link on every page• Main content gets the most space• Minimal use of graphics• Organize information in various ways (Jasek, 2004)

Convenience

Convenience Work with GIL service site, database vendors, library & campus IT to troubleshoot

Questions?

Seek out technology.

Thank you!

ReferencesACRL Research Planning and Review Committee. (2012). 2012 top trends in academic libraries: A review of the trends and issues affecting academic libraries in higher education. American Library Association. Retrieved from: http://crln.acrl.org/content/73/6/311.full

Armstrong, Kristin. (2011). Mile markers: The 26.2 most important reasons why women run. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books.

Burkhardt, A. (2010). Social media: A guide for college and university libraries. College & Research Libraries News, 71(2), 10-24. Retrieved from: http://crln.acrl.org/content/71/1/10.short

Gaha, U., & Hall, S. (2012, October). Sustainable use of social media and electronic resources in libraries. [PowerPoint slides]. Slides presented at the Georgia Council of Media Organizations conference, Macon, GA.

George, C. A. (2008). Designing the website – participatory design. User-centered library websites: Usability evaluation methods (pp. 97-108). Oxford: Chandos Publishing. Retrieved from: http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1009&context=carole_george

References, cont.Jasek, C. (2004). How to design library Web sites to maximize usability. [Pamphlet]. San Diego, CA: Elsevier. Retrieved from: http://www.elsevier.com/framework_librarians/LibraryConnect/lcpamphlet5.pdf

Kennesaw State University Sturgis Library. (2012). Mobile & software. Retrieved from: http://kennesaw.edu/library/services/widgetsAppsSoftware.html#

Sierra, T. (2010). Opportunities for mobile-enhanced library services and collections. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from SlideShare website: http://www.slideshare.net/tsierra/opportunities-for-mobile-enhanced-library-services-and-collections#btnNext

Swanson, T. A., & Green, J. (2011). Why we are not Google: Lessons from a library Web site usability study. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 37(3), 222-229. Retrieved from: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s7/sh/450c865e-83ad-40bb-9f4e-4f0e8d187872/9056a4a4877a8647823d1de9a2c402ac/res/f0431bd8-c160-432f-9f02-c749a3b9cb15/sdarticle.pdf