1. Steve Schafer, Tony Tin, Colin Elliott Mobile Library: Connecting New Generation of Learners to the Library in the Mobile Age M-Libraries Conference 2009

2. Today’s Presentation 1. Introduction – Athabasca University 2. About mobile library 3. Special features 4. Technology/Design 5. Challenges 6. Mobile learning contents project 7. Conclusion

3. Athabasca University http://www.athabascau.ca.  Canada’s Open University  Location: Athabasca, Alberta, Canada  Mandate: Remove barriers for students  More than 37,000 students, 700 courses and 90 graduate and Undergraduate programs  Students from Canada and 84 countries worldwide  Leader in M-learning and M-library research

4. What is a mobile library?  A mobile library provides learners with access to the library services and learning resources using mobile devices

5. Why a mobile library at AU?  Students already have the devices  AU students study from a distance  Quick and efficient access to electronic resources and library services is essential  Students have even more options for fitting learning into their busy lives

6. Why a mobile library at AU?  It allows individualization & self- pace  Students pick the time and the place to learn using mobile devices to access Library resources and services  Supports students with special needs

7. Special Features  Desktop: http://library.athabascau.cahttp://library.athabascau.ca  Mobile friendly AU Library site: Supported devices: PDA, Palmtop, Blackberry, IPAQ, Smart phones, IphonesAU Library site  The site includes mobile friendly: Digital Reading Room Digital Reference Centre Digital Thesis & Project Room Airpac Library catalogue Search engine

8. Special Features  Auto-detect and reformat  Learning object reuse  Easy web maintain/update  Multimedia file support  Ipodcasting  Wireless library catalogue  Search  Mobile content conversion on the fly

9. M-library Design/Technology

10. AirPAC - Wireless Library Catalogue  Enables users to access the AU library catalogue through their handheld mobile device as long as they have access to the Internet service

11. Wireless Library Catalogue: AIRPAC (ctd)  Activities available: Search catalogue Request books from the catalogue View their library account Renew material Can connect to electronic resources

12. Future features for AIRPAC  Athabasca University Library will explore how to enable users to view book jackets, table of contents, and reviews of books through the wireless catalogue

13. Project Recognition  Recipient of the Canadian Library Association Research & Development Award 2007  Model adopted by UK Open University

14. Challenges for the M-library  Defining content for the M-library Define the amount and type of information  Design of the format Normal website vs. mobile version content and information text, images, graphics, tables, location  Display models different display model and stylesheet

15. Challenges  Different standards, data networks, and operating systems  Handling of PDF documents  Handling of multimedia file types  Language compatibility  Corporate restriction on private or education use

16. From Mobile Library to Mobile Content Projects

17. Mobile Content Projects  Mobile ESL Project Mobile ESL Project Develop and test innovative approaches to ESL learning using mobile devices and a variety of testing and practice methods (CBC News)  Iphone App project Iphone App project Design to facilitate Iphone access to AU Press E-journals and E-books  Mobile Friendly library resources project Mobile Friendly library resources project Study the mobile-friendliness of E-Journals

18. The Mobile Benefit “You decide where class is and when class starts”

19. Food for Thought  “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have these devices built into you and powered by your body” -Martin Cooper, inventor of the cellphone

20. Further Information  Website: Mobile Library: http://library.athabascau.ca/ Mobile ESL http://eslau.ca Mobile Workplace English http://wpeau.ca  Publications: Ally, M. Eds.(2008). M-libraries: Libraries On The Move To Provide Virtual Access. Facet Publishing.