This exciting new series highlights the latest innovative services and programs being offered in public, academic, school, and special libraries across the United States and Canada. There's something in here for every type and size of library! With the rapidly increasing use of smartphones and tablets in the library to access information; as well as the growing role of social media, blogging, and e-learning instruction, the identity of libraries themselves are being transformed. Every function of the library, such as customer service, can be improved with technology. Why reinvent the wheel? Instead, you can now implement or expand services while knowing how other libraries have met their user needs. The first four titles in Scarecrow's new Best Practices series cover the following crucial aspects of these new library services: *Mobile Library Services: Best Practices *Using Social Media in Libraries: Best Practices *Customer Service in Libraries: Best Practices *E-Learning in Libraries: Best Practices Following an introduction, each book highlights ten best practices.
Each best practice includes the following information: *When and how the library made the decision to launch it; *Its chief aims and objectives; *The steps taken to get it off the ground (including specific technologies and equipment used, techniques, staff training, etc.); *A description of resources (staff, funds, time) required; *An exciting narrative of how the user community reacted and the program's role in furthering the library mission; *How the library assessed the service; *Any planned next steps; and, *Advice offered to librarians seeking to start or expand similar services. Here is a list of the contributors and topics for this state-of-the art series: Introduction by Scott La Counte, Author, of Going Mobile: Developing Apps for Your Library Using Basic HTML Programming "A Student-Library Collaboration to Create CULite: An iPhone App for the Cornell University Library" Matthew Connolly and Tony Cosgrave, Cornell University Library, Ithaca, NY "Launching a Mobile Initiative: Outreach Strategies" Alexandra W.
Gomes, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, George Washington University, Washington, DC "The Valley Library's Mobile Site" Laurie Bridges, Hannah Gascho Rempel, and Evviva Weinraub Lajoie, The Valley Library, Oregon State University, Corvallis "Making the Library Mobile on a Shoestring Budget" Ben Rawlins, et al., Georgetown College Library, Kentucky "The OCLS Shake It! App" Cassandra Shivers, Orange County Library System, Orlando, FL "Moving Library Orientation Out of the Classroom and Into the Library" Anne Burke, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh "Responsive Web Design for Libraries: Beyond the Myth of the Mobile Web" Matthew Reidsma, Grand Valley State University Libraries, Allendale, MI "The iPad Library Tour" Nancy Weichert, Brookens Library, University of Illinois, Springfield "Going Mobile at Illinois" Joshua Bishoff, University of Illinois Libraries, Urbana "The Gimme Engine: A True Story of Innovation, Creativity and Fun" Aimee Fifarek and Ann Porter, Scottsdale Public Library, Scottsdale, Arizona. "Building a Mobile Library Web App with the jQuery Mobile Framework" Jason Clark, Montana State University Library, Bozeman
Industry Reviews
This volume contains 11 chapters contributed by 23 practicing librarians in public and academic settings. Offering examples from around the U.S., the contributors discuss specific applications for mobile-library services as well as activities such as scavenger hunts and library tours. Whether readers work in a public or academic library looking to go mobile, or they are seeking ideas for specific apps to create or implement, they will find that this book covers the topic in a user-friendly and approachable manner, with examples drawn from experience. Each chapter includes references, and there is an index. This book will inspire and support the integration of mobile technologies on all scales into academic and public libraries. * Booklist *
Each chapter provides good overview information on the project discussed, ranging from its rationale, through resourcing and onto creation and then promotion, use and evaluation. The projects included cover a wide range of options and a variety of library types and needs. They are detailed without being overwhelming and provide more than enough information to understand the nature of the project and its conclusion. All the papers have been written by people directly involved in each project. Helpful supporting information in the form of screen shots, flow charts and more helps to give a clear picture of what was done. * The Australian Library Journal *
Presenting 11 case studies from academic and public libraries in the United States, this volume will inspire and encourage other libraries who are seeking to enter, or expand, the world of mobile library services. Whether looking for a full-service mobile app, or to offer select services in a mobile format, this book will help all looking to serve the ever-growing population using smartphones and tablets to access the Internet. Including examples, steps, success, and stumbling blocks, these case studies authored by those involved in the project offer real-world expertise in a down-to-earth manner for anyone seeking to learn more. Whether looking at apps, a scavenger hunt, Web design, or the use of iPads for library tours, this book will help those in any type of library, on any budget, to expand their reach. * American Reference Books Annual *
