Wayne State University Libraries Mobile Web Paul Gallagher, Developer Librarian

Why Mobile?

WSU Libraries Mobile Web The “Mobile Revolution” – 56% of WSU students own an internet capable mobile device – 14.4% purchasing one in the next 12 months ECAR 2009

Wayne State University 2009 to 2010 Handheld Ownership -WSU Computing and Information Technology Survey,

Wayne State University 2010 Device Distribution -WSU Computing and Information Technology Survey,

WSU Libraries Mobile Web WSU Students differ from the national trends –8% less WSU students own a laptop computer –24% more WSU students own a desktop computer –13% more WSU students have a desktop computer over 4 years old –11% more students use smart phones to access the internet ECAR 2009

“Handheld device that is capable of accessing the Internet”

What did WSULS do?

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Planning: Top level library goal; developed in-house over spring/summer 2010 Research: Find applicable technology Resources: Assemble development team, Paul Gallagher, Joshua Neds-Fox, Matt Decker, Jonathan McGlone

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Goals: –Contextual –Modular –Device-aware –Easy to extend

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Contextual: –Content is not simply a simplified version of the website, but addresses needs specific to a mobile context

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Modular: –Each application in the site is self-contained, can be moved, extended, removed, changed without affecting other applications

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Easy to extend –The platform will make our lives easy as designers / developers

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Device-aware: –The system will detect devices and serve device-appropriate content

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Not an ‘app’ –Serve a wider patron base than just iPhone/Android users

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Technology: WVU’s Mobile Web OSP –Initially investigated MIT’s code: open source, but “not ready for prime time” –Switch to WVU’s extension, much easier to work with –Began adapting modules for use in the Libraries

WSU Libraries Mobile Web

iPhone: Includes jTouch page effects – pages zoom in and out. Touch: Skin is sophisticated but not webkit- specific; no page effects

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Context: Hours app shows only this week’s hours – information is immediate and relevant Context: Interface is optimized for the device – breadcrumbs are large, button-like links

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Applications: Hours Catalog Ask-a-Librarian Directory Computer Availability News Maps YouTube Databases Shiffman Medical

Demonstration

Success?

16,932 Total Visitors visitors per day

Mozilla = 51.4% (?) iPhone = 23.1% Android = 10.5% iPod/iPad = 7.7% BlackBerry = 1.4%

Phase II – “Apps” Fall 2011

Collaboration with University Computing and Information technology Integration of mobile web into downloadable “app store” application Merely a “wrapper” for the web app – Shows the strength of the web based model WSU Libraries Mobile Web

Wayne State Mobile App

WSU Libraries Mobile Web Next: New marketing push QR Codes Law-Specific Application Ask-A-Librarian Chat widget Browseable Staff Directory LibGuides Module (?) Location aware (?)

Can I use this system?

YES! – This solution requires some basic HTML/JavaScript/PHP knowledge – More advanced knowledge to integrate with LDAP, Drupal, etc. – However, the documentation is VERY good WSU Libraries Mobile Web

How to get started: – Download Mobile OSP, deploy (rather painless) Develop theme, configure/develop apps Many work out of the box! – Leverage redirects – Lead the discussion / promote engagement WSU Libraries Mobile Web

Questions? Paul Gallagher Developer Librarian Wayne State University Library System