[Web4lib] Android app for library catalog

[Walker, David]

> I think trying to sift through a bunch of resources to 
> find the right one for my particular topic/thesis on a 
> small device would feel very frustrating

Actually, this feels very frustrating on a large device, too! :-)

I took Laura's earlier comments as indicating a need for priority.  And I think we can, to some extent, anticipate what users will be more likely to do on a mobile device.

But it would be nice to see some actual user studies.  Because, I suspect if we ask users what they think, they will say they find the array of databases and options we present them now to be too confusing.  So please don't simply recreate that same mess on my phone.

--Dave

==================
David Walker
Library Web Services Manager
California State University
http://xerxes.calstate.edu
________________________________________
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Laura Krier [laura.krier at gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 8:52 AM
To: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Android app for library catalog

Alright, point taken. Perhaps lots of serious research will be done on
cell phones.

And by serious I meant, I'm sitting down to find my resources for
writing a paper. I tend to think of mobile access to resources to be
more quick look up type things-- you need the answer to a question
right now and don't want to wait until you're back in your work space.
The kind of stuff reference sources are good for as opposed to the
things that articles and monographs are good for.

I could see students reading course materials on their mobile phones,
so perhaps making reserves and article databases mobile accessible is
really smart. But speaking from my own experience only, I think trying
to sift through a bunch of resources to find the right one for my
particular topic/thesis on a small device would feel very frustrating.

And I guess I'm thinking in terms of having limited resources and not
being able to offer everything. The account-related stuff is merely
what I would choose to prioritize, over the research stuff.

Laura

On Wed, Apr 14, 2010 at 8:00 AM, Wilfred Drew <DrewW at tc3.edu> wrote:
> "I don't think people are going to be doing any serious research from their phones [...]"
>
> As soon as you start thinking such statements are reality, the users will prove you wrong.  Why do we put such limits or assume such limits on things? Is it something inherent in librarians?
>
> Because we might not do serious research on a cell phone does not mean others won't.  Also, define serious.
>
> -----------------------------------------
> Wilfred (Bill) Drew, M.S., B.S., A.S.
> Assistant Professor
> Librarian, Systems and Tech Services
> Strengths: Ideation, Input, Learner, Command, Analytical
> E-mail: dreww at tc3.edu
> Follow the library: http://twitter.com/TC3Library
> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail or document.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Kozlowski,Brendon
> Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:53 AM
> To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Android app for library catalog
>
> "I don't think people are going to be doing any serious research from their phones [...]"
>
> As soon as decisions are made to remove an option, then the initial thought is a forced reality. Unless we simply don't have the man hours or capability to spend on producing certain features, it would probably be best for us to ask our users than make broad assumptions that will affect them and our service to them.
>
> Although my own thoughts agree with you, who's to be certain with the current trend in technology? Also keeping in mind that many new slimline tablet PCs (iPad competitors - yes, one is being built on the Android OS) readying for the market will be using a mobile OS.
>
> Ironically, when I have a quick research lookup to do, I pull out my iPod touch rather than my laptop since its startup time is insanely faster. Until SSD becomes more mainstream and much cheaper, it's very possible that people will be using these devices for research. As to what we might be able to offer to assist them in that endeavor - well that's a continuous discussion that I would hope never waivers.
>
>
>
> Brendon Kozlowski
> Web Administrator
> Saratoga Springs Public Library
> 49 Henry Street
> Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866
> [518] 584-7860 x217
>
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--
Laura Krier

http://www.lauraek.net
http://kitchenilliterate.wordpress.com


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