2013 Charleston Conference

This session will look at trends in mobile device usage for the Internet as a whole, for one discovery service across all client libraries, and at two libraries: Preston Medical Library, serving the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and UT Medical Center, and the Joyner Library at East Carolina University, serving students and faculty. Librarians at Preston Medical Library conducted a survey to determine which mobile devices, platforms, and apps were used by our patrons in 2012. East Carolina University piloted an iPad and e-reader lending program in 2010-2011. The results of each are being used to guide service planning related to mobile apps, education and support. The presenters will share their research into mobile device usage trends for the global Internet, for EBSCO Discovery Service, and for these two libraries. Attendees will engage in discussion of mobile device usage indicators and trends in their own libraries. Attendees can expect to leave with an understanding of the current "mobile landscape" overall, for two academic and medical libraries specifically, and with insights into possible futures for mobile device usage.