Library Mobile Computing Project

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Library Mobile Computing Project

• Indiana State University Library

Ralph Gabbard, Judy Tribble, Paul Asay, Chris
Hayes, Joe Rayes
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ISU Background

• Comprehensive university
• 11,000 students
• Students from rural areas and lower socioeconomic
  backgrounds

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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.

4
Inspiration Cornells Live From the Stacks

• First, mobile document scanners.
• Second, mobile computers.

5
The Mobile Project Plan

• Mobile Project Plan.
• Planned workstation syncing prototype.
• Investigate wireless LANs.

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Project Plan Goals Objectives

• Team approach.
• The goals.
• Problems encountered.
• Networking.
• Security.
• Usability.
• Costs.

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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.

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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.

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Mobile E-copier Details

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

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Lessons Learned

• Usability testing and prototyping
• Training
• Problems

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Scenario One Costs

• HP Capshare Scanner Costs 4 _at_ 279.00 total
  1116.00.
• Extended Systems Infrared USB Adapters 4 _at_
  54.00 total 216.00.
• Watchdog cards 4 _at_ 85.00 340.00.

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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.

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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

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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

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Setting up the network

• Wireless network access in all faculty carrels.
• High potential for mobile device usage.
• Lower cost than wiring 54 carrels.

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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.

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Wireless LAN Site Survey
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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.

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Setting up the Network Part Two

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

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Wireless LAN Site Survey
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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.

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Choosing Handheld OS

• Several choices of handheld computers, but few
  that are network capable.
• Limited choices available Palm, PocketPCs,
  Psion, and Win CE handheld PCs.
• Garfinkel, Simson. The net effect handheld
  heaven. TECHNOLOGY REVIEW, January/February 2001

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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.

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Handheld Costs Developmental Phase

• Compaq iPAQ handheld with wireless cards and
  expansion packs costs 2 _at_ 720.00 14200.00.

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Mobile Web Presence

• Screen capability on mobile devices may force you
  to rethink your web presence.
• Potential use of a WAP server.

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Scenario Two Part4 http//mobile.indstate.e
du
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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.

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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.

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Considerations for the Near Future

• Handhelds, notebooks, tablet size pcs, and web
  enabled cell phones.

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Future Directions

• E-pop.
• Changing workstations.
• Providing students with a library workspace.
• Support the rapidly changing mobile environment.

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Conclusions

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

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Conclusions

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