Library Mobile Computing Project

Indiana State University LibraryRalph Gabbard, Judy Tribble, Paul

Asay, Chris Hayes, Joe Rayes

ISU Background

Comprehensive university

11,000 students

Students from rural areas and lower socioeconomic backgrounds

ISU Library

Current building opened in 1973. Over 1 million volumes on five

floors. Graduate and faculty carrels are

not currently networked. Over 60 databases available

through the library home page.

Inspiration – Cornell’s “Live From the Stacks

First, mobile document scanners.

Second, mobile computers.

The Mobile Project Plan

Mobile Project Plan.

Planned workstation syncing prototype.

Investigate wireless LAN’s.

Project Plan Goals & Objectives

Team approach. The goals. Problems encountered.

Networking. Security. Usability. Costs.

Scenario One

A patron enters the library. At the main desk, s/he checks out a hand-held scanner. The patron takes the scanner into the stacks to scan text and graphics from books, journals, and other printed materials in the library.

Before leaving the library, the patron can print or transfer the scanned files to the his/her disk or laptop computer for use in electronic documents.

Scenario One, Handheld Scanners

HP CapShare 920 mobile e-copier.

Checkout procedures. Downloads via infrared port. Bundled Pagis pro software

handles text conversion. Required a “Download”

workstation.

Mobile E-copier Details

While fairly simple to operate, it did require advance software, and infrared capable transmission.

Lessons Learned

Usability testing and prototyping

Training

Problems

Scenario One Costs

HP Capshare Scanner Costs: 4 @ $279.00: total $1116.00.

Extended Systems Infrared USB Adapters: 4 @ $54.00: total $216.00.

Watchdog cards: 4 @ $85.00: $340.00.

Evolving Workstations

Library workstations currently have only one “look”.

“Download” workstation addition. Later add an express kiosk station. Switched workstation security to

Watchdog internal cards.

Scenario Two

A patron enters the library and using a mobile computing device, the patron: searches the on-line catalog, interacts with others on the network takes and records notes Locates books and other materials

Scenario Two, Parts 1-6

Parts 1 and 2 – Install wireless network Part 1 – “wire” faculty carrels Part 2 – “wire” rest of building

Part 3 – Test handhelds and PC cards Part 4 – Set up mobile web site Part 5 – Install reference chat room Part 6 – Develop book locator software

Setting up the network

Wireless network access in all faculty carrels.

High potential for mobile device usage.

Lower cost than wiring 54 carrels.

Wireless Network Infrastructure

Mobile computing required an effective wireless network.

We settled on a combination of 802.11b components from Cisco and Compaq.

Both comply with the WI-FI standard.

Wireless LAN Site Survey

Carrel Wireless Costs

Total hardware including 7 Cisco access points, and 10 wireless cards: $8,123.00.

Total installation costs including wiring, and power: $2,100.00.

We conducted the site survey ourselves to determine the number and location of access points.

Setting up the Network– Part Two

Extend the wireless network into every public area of the library.

Wireless LAN Site Survey

Rest of Library Wireless Costs

Total hardware including 17 Cisco access points, 8 Compaq PCI/software access points cost: $18,042.00.

Total installation costs including wiring, and power: $5,100.00.

Choosing Handheld OS

Several choices of handheld computers, but few that are network capable.

Limited choices available: Palm, PocketPC’s, Psion, and Win CE handheld PC’s.

Garfinkel, Simson. “The net effect: handheld heaven.” TECHNOLOGY REVIEW, January/February 2001

Handheld Specifics – Developmental Phase

Compaq iPAQ 3650 PDA. Includes expansion pack

for PC cards. Compaq WL100 wireless

network card. Syncs via USB cradle to

download workstation.

Handheld Costs – Developmental Phase

Compaq iPAQ handheld with wireless cards and expansion packs costs 2 @ $720.00: $14200.00.

Mobile Web Presence

Screen capability on mobile devices may force you to rethink your web presence.

Potential use of a WAP server.

Scenario Two – Part4 – http://mobile.indstate.

edu

Scenario Two, Part 5 – Reference Chat

While in the stacks, the student can ask a question of a staff member via chat software.

Used chat software which could be accessed from more than one workstation.

Restricted by IP authorization.

Scenario Two – Part 6 Book Locator

While in the stacks the user can search the catalog for a book, find a call number, then use Book Locator to determine which floor and shelf the book occupies.

Considerations for the Near Future

Handhelds, notebooks, tablet size pc’s, and web enabled cell phones.

Future Directions

E-pop. Changing workstations. Providing students with

a library workspace. Support the rapidly

changing mobile environment.

Conclusions

Mobile computing in the library is feasible and may serve users better than wired networking in specific cases.

Conclusions

The library is a good place to prototype mobile computing on campus.