Sharman - The roving librarian: keep taking the tablets
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The document discusses the "Roving Librarian" initiative at the University of Huddersfield library. [1] The initiative aims to promote library resources to students outside traditional library spaces using tablets. [2] Librarians trialled using iPads and Android tablets to engage with and help students at locations like cafes and student unions. [3] Early assessments found the roving librarians approach was positively received by students and academics, though continued work is needed to develop the strategy and branding.
Sharman - The roving librarian: keep taking the tablets
- 1. Keep taking the tablets Alison Sharman @asharman LILAC 2012
- 2. Library Impact Data Project • “There is a statistically significant correlation across a number of universities between library activity data and student attainment.” – http://library.hud.ac.uk/lidp
- 3. E-resource usage http://www.flickr.com/photos/davepattern/6928727589/in/set-72157629087302688/
- 4. Average number of library loans http://www.flickr.com/photos/davepattern/6785023236/in/set-72157629087302688/
- 5. Visits to the Library 2007/8 & 2008/9
- 6. But... Many students are missing out on the resources we provide
- 7. So, if Mohammed will not go to the mountain... • Students Union Coffee bar • Stand with laptops • Engaged with the students • Tablets required http://www.flickr.com/photos/corvillegroup/4476474971/
- 8. Vision of the Roving Librarian • Info on the move • at the point of need • Go out to the students • Move from the traditional library environment • Reach potential http://www.flickr.com/photos/librarianbyday/2744512265/in/pool- library “non users” 846852@N21/
- 9. The plan... http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnicho0 2/2637002496/ • Apply for internal funding • Set up informal sessions • Equip librarians with slates • Promote sessions • Evaluate the impact • Publish findings http://www.flickr.com/photos/jnicho02/2637002496/
- 10. What does the literature say? http://www.flickr.com/photos/carowallis1/4297460415/
- 11. Tablets: choice of two iPad Most librarians chose the http://www.flickr.com/photos/yto/4891249900 / Android tablet over the iPad Android tablet: Asus Eee Pad Transformer http://www.flickr.com/photos/whichtechnology/5337338563/
- 12. Time to play... • Time to play with new technology • Use tablets • Compare apps/tools • Librarians better equipped to support http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewpescod/272080926/ mobile technology
- 13. Need a recognisable brand • Librarians out of context may not be recognised • Need a logo/image that students can associate with the roving librarian http://www.flickr.com/photos/grahamsblog/5169357774/ • Martini advertising slogan: information anytime, anyplace, anywhere
- 14. The Result!
- 15. Logo Used this logo for • Stickers • Adapted for School Plasma screens • Advertising on library Facebook page
- 18. Spread the word: Roving librarian is coming to YOU! • Tweet on Hudlib • Retweeted by other Uni tweeters • UniLearn • Emails to academic staff • Emails to students http://www.flickr.com/photos/59461128@N00/456554634/
- 19. Email from Computing Lecturer Sent: 10 November 2011 09:14 To: N455 - BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming; N655 - BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming FT route Subject: FW: Roving librarian coming to Canalside West on Monday 14th Nov 11-1 Importance: High Do you know what a library is? Did you know we have one? Do you understand the concept of a book, with actual old fashioned paper in it!? So retro! Only kidding guys, but if you don’t use our library you are probably missing out on some pretty awesome services, check out the below, and go see them if you have questions.
- 20. Roving Strategies • Times and locations • Regularity • Method of roving • Opening line • Questionnaire • Freebies http://www.flickr.com/photos/mawts-1comcam/6256228473/
- 21. Roving, roving, roving • All librarians have been roving • Varying degrees of success • Proactive approach • Trial and error • Mostly positive response from academics • Relationships established
- 22. Response from students • Questionnaire: will encounter with roving librarian result in increased resource usage?
- 23. Effectiveness of tablets in supporting teaching on the move • Highly portable (both) • Flexible (both) • Attractive to students/ Conversation starter (both) • Can do other work (both) http://www.flickr.com/photos/yto/4891249900 / • Sometimes problems with network strength/Speed(both) • Disadvantage not having a keyboard (iPad) • Screen not as responsive as iPAd (Asus) http://www.flickr.com/photos/whichtechnology/5337338563/ • Problems charging it up (Asus)
- 24. Some keys to success • Be proactive • Engage the students in conversation • Know your subject • Experiment • Timing • Go out in pairs • Freebies help http://www.flickr.com/photos/happylobster/3228866041/ • Use colleagues
- 25. Roving librarian: the future • Work on the brand • More call for roving in library? • Develop the strategy • Continue to up skill librarians in using tablets http://www.flickr.com/photos/42438552@N00/6762367425/
- 26. More sources • Sharmana http://sharmana.wordpress.com/ • Library Impact Data Project: Just another JISC Activity Data project blog! http://library.hud.ac.uk/blogs/projects/lidp • Sharman, A. and Walsh, A. (2013) Roving librarian at a mid-sized, UK based university. Library Technical Reports: tablets in reference and instruction. ALA Jan 2013