STRONGER TOGETHER

Evolving Libraries Delivering New Experiences

Deb Hoadley, Consultant, Massachusetts Library System

Carolyn Morris,VP, Digital Products,BiblioLabs, LLC

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Will libraries survive?

“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those

who can best manage change.” –Charles Darwin

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Mobile Technology Facts

• 90% of American adults have a cell phone

• 58% of American adults have a smart phone

• 32% of American adults own an e-reader

• 42% of American adults own a computer

Pew Research Internet Projecthttp://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Future Proofing

• iOS 6 February 2014• iOS 7 June 2014• iOS 8 October 2014• Android 4.4 October 2013• Android 5.0 November 2014• Kindle Fire• Browsers• Phones• Tablets

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

“libraries will become places, both physical and virtual, where the public accesses information and creates meaning, in the purely digital realm…

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

…what will this look like? It will look like the amazing app that the British Library has just put out”

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Partnerships

• Crucial to the evolution of what libraries will be in the future

• Private and public partnerships provide more opportunities for reaching more people in the community

• Access to multiple users through a digital interface

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Changing role of library

• Publishers • Curators• What does this mean?• How is this different than what

libraries are already doing with print collections

• Perception that digital is different than traditional – just a different format

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Publisher & Curators

Let’s take a look at what MA libraries have done.

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Bridging the Institutional Divide

• Look for opportunities to cooperate– Digital Commonwealth– Internet Archive– DPLA

• Develop strategies to reach new people– Get creative with discovery– Geo-location (make it easy to access)– Cultivate local talent– Celebrate unique offerings

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Perceptions & Behaviors

Survey says…Found what they were looking for:– 81% of patrons – 55% of librarians

Used the library’s website:– 86% of patrons– 49% of librarians*

Asked for help:– 47% of patrons according to librarians– 43% did not ask for help according to patrons

*Librarians preferred to use the eBook catalog created for this project

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Perceptions & Behaviors

The stats say…

Unique local content accounted for 7% of all usage while representing only 1% of content available to pilot libraries.

Overall, BiblioBoard saw on average 3X the usage of other eBook platforms in the pilot.

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Future Research

• More extensive research on user-experience and usage rates

• Mobile device specific research• Content specific research– How do genre and format impact usage?– Local and unique vs. mass-market

• How do discovery and authentication protocols impact usage?

STRONGER TOGETHER

Internet Librarian 2014

Thank You!

Contact us for more information:

Deb Hoadley – dhoadley@masslibsystem.org

Carolyn Morris – morrisc@bibliolabs.com