CIL 2009 Wednesday, "Mobile Usability: Tips, Research, & Practices"

Christa Burns, OCLC Member Services, Nebraska Library Commission
Michael Sauers, Technology Innovation Librarian
Jim Hahn, Orientation Services Librarian, UIUC

Christa Burns talked about applications for searching Google, Yahoo, etc. and getting fast answers
Michael Sauers

• Get a data plan
• Text Amazon to check book price and even order a book
• LibraryThing mobile
• moblie.wikipedia.transcode.php
• m.ebuddy.com - lite messenger that integrates into major IM's. Must refresh to see things.
  
• new app for windows mobile - a google search on your home screen; almost as good as desktop for google maps, includes street view
• barcode generators exist that output jpgs so you can put them on your phone and display them for readers to consumer (he's had mixed results)

Jim Hahn: studied use of mobile using a logging system which logged student searches
R1. How do students use Wikipedia on a mobile device?
R2. How best to design library services on mobile devices to support student success?

hdl.handle.net/2142/9574
sourceforge.net/projects/encyclopodia

• Students used the devices mainly for recreational questions
• Used the iPod 1-2 times per month, mostly in September