Breaking the Boundaries:
results from a trial of mobile
content at the University of
Nottingham
Wendy Stanton
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Outline
•Aims of the Pilot Project
•Technical Issues
•Content
•Lending Services
•Usage
•Feedback
•Summary
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Aims of the project
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To
To
To
To
To
identify demand
investigate technical/support issues
identify any practical issues
gain feedback
make recommendations
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Technical issues
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Customisation
Personal data
Wireless considerations
Restrictions
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Lending
 6 Tablets
 2 Libraries Hallward and Greenfield
Medical
 3 hour time limit
 Use within the library only
 Security
 Power supply
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Content
•UoN Email
•YouTube
•Libraries – Which library do I need?
•UNLOC – Library Online Catalogue
•Browser
•Unbound Medicine
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Unbound Medicine
•Only ebook content
•Coincided with a trial of 13 titles
•Promoted to staff and students
•Technical considerations
•Multiple devices
•Use
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Usage
Loans
July
2011
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2012
9
33
27
145
209
79
79
378 people borrowed the tabs and 27% have
used them more than once
There has been no loss or damage
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Feedback
 Feedback form given to each borrower
 175 forms collected
 128 Hallward
 47 Greenfield Medical Library
 60% from undergraduates and taught
postgraduates
 57% rated the experience positively
 6% rated it completely unsuccessful
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
What were they using them for?
Greenfield Medical Library
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Internet browsing
Articles, journals,
Reading eBooks
Lectures, slides, comments,
Audio files through WebCT
Library Catalogue
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
What were they using them for?
Greenfield Medical Library
• Email
• Viewing PDFs
• Research with a PC
• MS Office
• Dictionary
• Make notes notes
•Facebook
•YouTube
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
What were they using them for?
Hallward Library
In addition:
 Foreign language sites
 BBC sites
 Shopping sites/eBay
 Music sites
 Online blackjack!
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
If they could change one thing….
 Screen size or brightness
 Improved wireless (connectivity, speed,
reliability, coverage)
 Use iPads instead!
 Better help/instructions/online tutorial
 More applications (MS Office, PDF Reader,
language software
 Better web browsing
 Access to WebCT
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
If they could change one thing….
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Borrow for longer
Take out of library
Change settings -too noisy in silent areas
USB port
Longer power cable
Faster software/processor
A stand
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Other comments
• General positive comments about the service
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•
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Would prefer more lap tops or PCs,
Removal of personal information
Heavy, hard to hold and use
Small, mobile - took to shelves
Can’t do any serious work, not efficient
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Library staff feedback
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•
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Positive
Training
Improve functionality
More publicity
Often a last resort (when all laptops on loan)
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Summary
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Testing practical aspects of lending
Tested student expectations
Configuration for multiple users
Pilot set up quickly to test basic principles
Security of storage
Wide range of tasks
Preference for larger tablets, iPads
User Guides and support
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is
Discussion points
• Do we extend provision?
• How can we make best use of their size,
portability?
• Cost benefits compared to more laptops?
• Address concerns about personal information
• Locking down v loss of potential benefits
• How we provide more support/training for
staff and students?
www.nottingham.ac.uk/is