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Mobile Computing Project for ISU Library: Enhancing Access and Connectivity

Explore the innovative Mobile Computing Project at Indiana State University Library, enabling enhanced access to resources through handheld scanners and computers. Enhance networked services to support students effectively.

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Mobile Computing Project for ISU Library: Enhancing Access and Connectivity

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  1. Library Mobile Computing Project Indiana State University Library Ralph Gabbard, Judy Tribble, Paul Asay, Chris Hayes, Joe Rayes

  2. ISU Background • Comprehensive university • 11,000 students • Students from rural areas and lower socioeconomic backgrounds

  3. ISU Library • Current building opened in 1973. • Over 1 million volumes on five floors. • Graduate and faculty carrels are not currently networked. • Over 60 databases available through the library home page.

  4. Inspiration – Cornell’s “Live From the Stacks • First, mobile document scanners. • Second, mobile computers.

  5. The Mobile Project Plan • Mobile Project Plan. • Planned workstation syncing prototype. • Investigate wireless LAN’s.

  6. Project Plan Goals & Objectives • Team approach. • The goals. • Problems encountered. • Networking. • Security. • Usability. • Costs.

  7. Scenario One • A patron enters the library. At the main desk, s/he checks out a hand-held scanner. The patron takes the scanner into the stacks to scan text and graphics from books, journals, and other printed materials in the library. • Before leaving the library, the patron can print or transfer the scanned files to the his/her disk or laptop computer for use in electronic documents.

  8. Scenario One, Handheld Scanners • HP CapShare 920 mobile e-copier. • Checkout procedures. • Downloads via infrared port. • Bundled Pagis pro software handles text conversion. • Required a “Download” workstation.

  9. Mobile E-copier Details • While fairly simple to operate, it did require advance software, and infrared capable transmission.

  10. Lessons Learned • Usability testing and prototyping • Training • Problems

  11. Scenario One Costs • HP Capshare Scanner Costs: 4 @ $279.00: total $1116.00. • Extended Systems Infrared USB Adapters: 4 @ $54.00: total $216.00. • Watchdog cards: 4 @ $85.00: $340.00.

  12. Evolving Workstations • Library workstations currently have only one “look”. • “Download” workstation addition. • Later add an express kiosk station. • Switched workstation security to Watchdog internal cards.

  13. Scenario Two • A patron enters the library and using a mobile computing device, the patron: • searches the on-line catalog, • interacts with others on the network • takes and records notes • Locates books and other materials

  14. Scenario Two, Parts 1-6 • Parts 1 and 2 – Install wireless network • Part 1 – “wire” faculty carrels • Part 2 – “wire” rest of building • Part 3 – Test handhelds and PC cards • Part 4 – Set up mobile web site • Part 5 – Install reference chat room • Part 6 – Develop book locator software

  15. Setting up the network • Wireless network access in all faculty carrels. • High potential for mobile device usage. • Lower cost than wiring 54 carrels.

  16. Wireless Network Infrastructure • Mobile computing required an effective wireless network. • We settled on a combination of 802.11b components from Cisco and Compaq. • Both comply with the WI-FI standard.

  17. Wireless LAN Site Survey

  18. Carrel Wireless Costs • Total hardware including 7 Cisco access points, and 10 wireless cards: $8,123.00. • Total installation costs including wiring, and power: $2,100.00. • We conducted the site survey ourselves to determine the number and location of access points.

  19. Setting up the Network– Part Two • Extend the wireless network into every public area of the library.

  20. Wireless LAN Site Survey

  21. Rest of Library Wireless Costs • Total hardware including 17 Cisco access points, 8 Compaq PCI/software access points cost: $18,042.00. • Total installation costs including wiring, and power: $5,100.00.

  22. Choosing Handheld OS • Several choices of handheld computers, but few that are network capable. • Limited choices available: Palm, PocketPC’s, Psion, and Win CE handheld PC’s. • Garfinkel, Simson. “The net effect: handheld heaven.” TECHNOLOGY REVIEW, January/February 2001

  23. Compaq iPAQ 3650 PDA. Includes expansion pack for PC cards. Compaq WL100 wireless network card. Syncs via USB cradle to download workstation. Handheld Specifics – Developmental Phase

  24. Handheld Costs – Developmental Phase • Compaq iPAQ handheld with wireless cards and expansion packs costs 2 @ $720.00: $14200.00.

  25. Mobile Web Presence • Screen capability on mobile devices may force you to rethink your web presence. • Potential use of a WAP server.

  26. Scenario Two – Part4 – http://mobile.indstate.edu

  27. Scenario Two, Part 5 – Reference Chat • While in the stacks, the student can ask a question of a staff member via chat software. • Used chat software which could be accessed from more than one workstation. • Restricted by IP authorization.

  28. Scenario Two – Part 6 Book Locator • While in the stacks the user can search the catalog for a book, find a call number, then use Book Locator to determine which floor and shelf the book occupies.

  29. Considerations for the Near Future • Handhelds, notebooks, tablet size pc’s, and web enabled cell phones.

  30. Future Directions • E-pop. • Changing workstations. • Providing students with a library workspace. • Support the rapidly changing mobile environment.

  31. Conclusions • Mobile computing in the library is feasible and may serve users better than wired networking in specific cases.

  32. Conclusions • The library is a good place to prototype mobile computing on campus.

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