NYLA: The Future is In Your Hands: PDAs and iPods

[I tried to post this from the session, but the connection wouldn’t let me. The presentations are going to be online, perhaps at the NYLA web site. I’ll post that info if I find it out.]

This session had a combination of presenters from the University of Buffalo, South Huntington Library System (on Long Island, NY) and Apple Computers.

Dean Hendrix -- University of Buffalo -- Hendrix talked about the use of PDAs in a health science library by medical professionals. Medical professionals value:

1. Time -- using time effectively


2. Accuracy -- accurate information


3. Currency -- current information


4. Organization -- information is well organized

Time + Organization = Value PDAs are like a Swiss Army Knife -- they do a lot of different jobs. What do they use PDAs for?

1. Decision support


2. Professional activities


3. Administrative support

Where does the library fit in?

1. User assessment


2. MobileHSL (Health Science Library) http://ublib.buffalo.edu/hsl/mobile/


3. Mobile Computer in Healthcare Fair


4. Collaborations with SMBS (medical school) -- e.g., orientation, infrared sync station, PDA support, MP3s on web page with help information and more


5. New mobile computing hardware/software evaluation

The future of mobile computing:

1. Use is increasing rapidly


2. Wireless standards are becoming global


3. Devices are smaller and more powerful


4. Redefining "space" (e.g., when the library is open and where the library is)

BTW most medical schools require students to have PDAs.

South Huntington Public Library -- Ken Weil & Joe Latini

They are doing audio books. It's cheaper. The money saved is used to purchase MP3 players. Materials are available faster (immediacy). The digital audio books are portable.

They are not the first library to offer digital downloads, but may be the first to do it with iPods.

Currently, there is no single perfect solution for acquiring and providing audio books.

They are using iTunes because they provide more titles and the library owns what it purchases. They can select what they want to purchase. iPod is the mostly MP3 player, and the software works with PCs and MACs.

The library protects copyrights by limiting the number of copies it circulates. If it has purchased three copies, it only circulates three copies.

Patrons borrow an iPod with specific books loaded on it. There is an power adapter so the iPod can be recharged. There are other connectors that come with it and all fit into a small package. There is a two week circulation period. Only people in the library district can borrow them.

People can also have the audio books loaded onto their iPod. For the book to be returned, the book must be deleted from the iPod.

Overdue fines are $1 per day.

They are also circulating music on the iPod.

For people under 18, they must have the books or music loaded onto their own iPod. They do not loan iPods to that group.

They load audio tours of their art exhibits on iPods (the artist's tour of the exhibit). They are exploring podcasts.

Christina Dowd -- Apple Computer -- "iPod in Education. We didn't see it coming!"

BTW she is a former school librarian and a former member of NYLA.

iPods are everywhere and being talked about by everyone.

"It is coming to a campus near you."

Three versions:

1. iPod Shuffle


2. Photo iPod


3. Video iPod

iPods do more than music, they do a lot of (what I think of as) normal PC functions. They can store a tremendous amount of information.

1. A photo library


2. a calendar


3. a hard drive


4. an alarm clock


5. and much more (I didn't type fast enough)

The iPod in the classroom has many uses including podcasts, vodcasts (video)...

Who?

1. Duke University -- foreign language music, engineering. iPod increased the depth of student knowledge. Anytime learning. http://www.duke.edu/ddi/


2. Drexel University


3. Middlebury College (famous for their language training)


4. Buffalo State University


5. Stanford University -- with Duke, Brown and Univ. of Michigan -- e.g., Presenting Stanford on iTunes -- digitizing (audio) all their content, including faculty lectures.


6. Univ. of Michigan is using it in their dental school.

And with video, think of the possibilities!

The Daily Princeton announced today that they will have a vodcasting channel.

Apple Digital Campus Exchange...good site for understanding the electronic use of technology.