Breaking the Boundaries: results from a trial of mobile content at the University of Nottingham

1. Breaking the Boundaries: results from a trial of mobile content at the University of Nottingham Wendy Stanton www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

2. Outline • Aims of the Pilot Project • Technical Issues • Content • Lending Services • Usage • Feedback • Summary www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

3. Aims of the project • To identify demand • To investigate technical/support issues • To identify any practical issues • To gain feedback • To make recommendations www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

4. Technical issues • Customisation • Personal data • Wireless considerations • Restrictions www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

5. Lending • 6 Tablets • 2 Libraries Hallward and Greenfield Medical • 3 hour time limit • Use within the library only • Security • Power supply www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

6. Content • UoN Email • YouTube • Libraries – Which library do I need? • UNLOC – Library Online Catalogue • Browser • Unbound Medicine www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

7. Unbound Medicine • Only ebook content • Coincided with a trial of 13 titles • Promoted to staff and students • Technical considerations • Multiple devices • Use www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

8. Usage 378 people borrowed the tabs and 27% have used them more than once There has been no loss or damage www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

9. Feedback • Feedback form given to each borrower • 175 forms collected • 128 Hallward • 47 Greenfield Medical Library • 60% from undergraduates and taught postgraduates • 57% rated the experience positively • 6% rated it completely unsuccessful www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

10. What were they using them for? Greenfield Medical Library • Internet browsing • Articles, journals, • Reading eBooks • Lectures, slides, comments, • Audio files through WebCT • Library Catalogue www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

11. What were they using them for? Greenfield Medical Library • Email • Viewing PDFs • Research with a PC • MS Office • Dictionary • Make notes notes • Facebook • YouTube www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

12. What were they using them for? Hallward Library In addition: • Foreign language sites • BBC sites • Shopping sites/eBay • Music sites • Online blackjack! www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

13. If they could change one thing…. • Screen size or brightness • Improved wireless (connectivity, speed, reliability, coverage) • Use iPadsinstead! • Better help/instructions/online tutorial • More applications (MS Office, PDF Reader, language software • Better web browsing • Access to WebCT www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

14. If they could change one thing…. • Borrow for longer • Take out of library • Change settings -too noisy in silent areas • USB port • Longer power cable • Faster software/processor • A stand www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

15. Other comments • General positive comments about the service • Would prefer more lap tops or PCs, • Removal of personal information • Heavy, hard to hold and use • Small, mobile - took to shelves • Can’t do any serious work, not efficient www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

16. Library staff feedback • Positive • Training • Improve functionality • More publicity • Often a last resort (when all laptops on loan) www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

17. Summary • Testing practical aspects of lending • Tested student expectations • Configuration for multiple users • Pilot set up quickly to test basic principles • Security of storage • Wide range of tasks • Preference for larger tablets, iPads • User Guides and support www.nottingham.ac.uk/is

18. Discussion points • Do we extend provision? • How can we make best use of their size, portability? • Cost benefits compared to more laptops? • Address concerns about personal information • Locking down v loss of potential benefits • How we provide more support/training for staff and students? www.nottingham.ac.uk/is