I’ve written some posts recently about the how to make the High School Library more relevant. Re-reading them earlier this morning reminded me of a piece I wrote late in 2010 on the same topic, on my very first (and now inactive) blog. It’s amazing how much of it is still relevant! The blog entry is below…
Text a Librarian? I love this idea. “Expand the walls of the Library”. Especially seeing as the three High Schools I have regular contact with, are all in the process of building beautiful, large new Libraries thanks to PM Julia Gillard’s BER. I didn’t think of this phrase myself though, I nicked it from a promotional comment on Mosio’s Text a Librarian website. But I think it encapsulates the attitude that libraries – all libraries, without exception – need to adopt as we head into a mobile-intensive world. Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and those who want to hold onto the past will be left behind. Back in July, TechCrunch’s MG Siegler started a furore with his prediction that Apple’s new Magic Trackpad signalled the beginning of the end of the mouse. An interesting post, he also referred to the trend of tablets and smartphones replacing desktops. Which is why we, as up-and-coming Librarians, need to be thinking about, and planning for, our patrons and user groups who are already, or will be soon, wanting to use Library services from the convenience of their mobile devices.
The ‘Text a Librarian’ service, powered by Mosio, is one such tool, offering libraries the ability to ‘connect with more patrons on-the-go’. They state: “We manage mobile so you don’t have to” – a line which I’m sure many time-poor librarians would jump at, as the product they offer certainly sounds promising! Within the School Library context, systems such as LibCode already allow for borrowers to be emailed notification of overdue resources, but I wonder how much more effective text messages would be, considering the user group. Even a number of years ago now, teenagers saw email as ‘old school’ – just another reminder of quickly the tools are changing, and another strong argument for why we need to keep current awareness with the changing pace of technology!
So, no longer should the phrase ‘mobile libraries’ conjure up images of large buses or trucks. Instead, we need to be in the same space as our users, offering them the services they need, where they need it. Let’s expand the walls of our libraries – right into the palms of our patrons’ hands.
CC Image “Text a Librarian Booth at ALA Midwinter” courtesy noelieo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/41993437@N00/3687133143/
