Access in the Stacks
Presentation by
Dr. Gary Golden, Library Director of Paul Robeson Library
John Gibson, Instructional Technology Specialist
Access in the Stacks
Innovation in a Time of Needs
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Space and evolving computing services in the library.
Smaller staff presence.
Renovations a necessary obstacle to overcome.
The problem of the divide
The enhanced services provided virtually via Access in the
Stacks
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Need
• The primary 2 reasons that we needed to upgrade.
• Staff shortage
– The library has no offices on the lower level, with our entire collection
moving there we needed to be able to provide some type of support.
• New facilities
– Our new electronic shelving units provide no instructions, and while very
easy to use, this gives us a new venue to provide help and support.
– We are also able to utilize the innovations in the touch screen world to
provide an effective imprint of technology without the clutter of wires.
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Specifications of Hardware
• MSI Wind Top AE2010 All in One Touch Screen
• Key features:
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VESA Mount
Built in Wired and Wireless Network Connections
Webcam
20” Touch Screen Display
Built in HQ Sound
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
How does our project benefit staff and faculty?
• Decreases need to provide simple answers to repeat
questions.
• Allows the employee to be available at their desks and around
the building virtually via video or chat.
• Provides a positive view of the librarians and staff efforts to
modernize today’s physical library.
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
How does are project benefit the community?
• The community is empowered to do basic searching by
themselves.
• They are able to get live help on demand.
• They can access documentation or further expand their
research without walking back to login into a public terminal.
• Provide patrons with an easy way to locate the exact shelving
range for a specific call number.
• Provide electronic interactive library maps to navigate to
areas of the library (bathrooms, classroom, exits, elevators,
etc.).
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
The Techie Student
• Students have interest in technology both here and at home.
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Technology behind the scene
• Our software runs on a custom app built entirely for the touch
screen hardware. It can be used on any computer, but the
advanced features such as internal keyboard and screen
locks are developed as part of the encapsulated app.
• The software used is based .NET, by Microsoft.
• The modules are web based and could be ported to any
computer if the need arises or if it was found useful for
another application.
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Technology Impact
• Customized in-house Software
– Touch screen Keyboard, built in software modules.
• Modern Hardware
– MSI All in One - Touch screen
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Features
• Modular
– There are a multitude of features in the new touch screen device we use
that make it unique and useful, but the most intriguing portion is that it is
totally modular.
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Searching for a Title
• The ability to search, the library catalog.
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Call Number Finder
• Finding building directions is helpful, but the built in book
locator will also direct them to the exact row or area the book
should be located on our map.
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Looking for Help
• A click away from constant support.
– We can provide direct access to video conferencing via a touch window
and the built in hardware of the touch screen or we can link with our
current library support options including Meebo, ask-a-librarian or
provide phone support options.
Student
Paul Robeson Library
Access in the Stacks
Next Steps
• Mobile computing…
– iPhone, Blackberry, Google OS, Mobile 7, etc.
– A user with a touch screen could have a pocket size version of Access
in the Stacks.
– Robeson Beta Mobile Version
http://m.prl.rutgers.edu – Note the mobile version does not scale larger
on mobile devices like the iPad .
– Setup Demo
http://library.camden.rutgers.edu/0/touchscreen/download/
Paul Robeson Library