Mobile Technology in Libraries 

By Jennifer Harris 

In today’s modern library mobile technology is indispensable. Gone are the days of staying silent in the library. Patrons are encouraged to use their devices or borrow a device from the library for use. You will often find patrons using their smartphones to look up the title of a book they are searching for, take a photo of a new display, or post to social media using a hashtag. Libraries need to consider what it is that patrons need for using these devices while they are in the library.  

A way to charge devices while patrons are in the library by either providing a power station or access to power outlets is ideal. Some libraries will even let you check out a power bank and charging cords while you are in the library. Having fast Wi-Fi is another thing that libraries should invest in. Wi-Fi should be fast enough to run normal web activities and apps and support multiple users at once without slowing down. Comfortable seating is another welcome addition to any library. If patrons are comfortable, they will be more likely to spend a longer period of time in the library.  

Signs that are strategically placed around the library work well for promoting digital resources. By placing signs next to the reference desk, check-out counter or “selfie stations” you can easily promote online web services or apps. QR codes can also be used to scan and take a patron directly to the app needed to put books on hold, search for books, find a newsletter or find digital content.  

Digital content can be any of the services that patrons use by downloading apps. Overdrive and Libby are apps that are used to read e-books while Hoopla can be used to watch movies, tv, listen to music in addition to e-books, comics and manga. Social media apps are also very popular and can be used to keep patrons up to date with programs that are happening in the library. Patrons can even receive push notifications to know any time new information is posted. Databases are available for free on library websites and often not known about by the public but are a great resource used by students to find information. If you take the time to look for the digital services offered by your local library, you may be surprised by how much they have to offer.  

As of 2024, according to Pew Research,  

• 98% of Americans own a smartphone. 

• 90% of Americans have broadband service at home. 

• 93.9% of Americans mostly use a smartphone when accessing the internet. 

• 15% of Americans only use smartphones when accessing the internet.  

 

Digital technology is expanding rapidly. Libraries are in a position to help their community by providing free Wi-Fi, digital resources, providing devices to check-out or use in the library, and teaching our patrons how to use devices by offering special programs/classes. Ask your patrons what their technological needs are and do your best to meet those needs.   

How to download books on Overdrive

Works Cited 

King, David. “Library technology reports.” Library Technology Reports, vol. 57, no. 2, Feb. 2021, pp. 5–36. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=63c2b574-9d14-3606-8ce6-ec1a2378b4f1. 

Lee

Assistive Technology

 

Assistive Technology in an Elementary Library

By Jennifer Harris

 

Assistive Technology in an Elementary Library

According to Chiedu Eseadi “Students who are visually impaired but receive adequate support at an early stage have a greater chance of progressing in their academics and future careers” (v8 p117-132, 2023). This can be true for students with auditory impairment as well. Any early intervention for children with disabilities optimizes a positive outcome.

Each year school nurses conduct vision and hearing screening in elementary schools. This is in hopes of identifying students with vision and hearing deficits that could adversely affect a students learning and address it as early as possible. Results are then sent home to parents for early intervention.

For students with visual impairments a simple trip to the optometrist could resolve issues, fitting the student with a pair of prescription glasses. For others it could mean text-to-speech (TTS) software that can help students with reading standard print. This technology works by scanning the words on a page and reading it back to the student. This software is also able to support multiple languages, magnify text and spell-check. Another approach that a school can take is magnifying the curriculum the student will need throughout the year. Before the school year starts, the curriculum the student will need is collected and magnified to a size that is easier for the student to read. This can also be done with novels, giving the student options to read for pleasure.

Students that have an auditory impairment may need a hearing aid or cochlear implant. Assistive learning systems can be used to enhance the hearing aid or cochlear implant by bringing the sound directly to the ear. FM systems are best used for children with inner ear hearing loss or nerve damage. The classroom teacher uses a microphone that is received into the hearing aid or cochlear implant. This allows for direct communication regardless of distance or background noise.  A sound field system can also be used throughout the campus and is a microphone that projects the teachers’ voice through speakers in the classroom, library, or any other room on campus. This can be used for all children in the classroom and helps project the voice in larger areas where is may be harder to hear.

Thanks to the advancement in assistive technology students have tools at their disposal to receive the support they need. School districts are providing more services at school and at home than ever before, parents just need to know they can ask for it.

FM Systems: What are they?

 

Works Cited

Chiedu Eseadi. “Practice Guidelines for Assisting Students with Visual Impairments.” Online Submission, vol. 8, no. 2, Jan. 2023, pp. 117–32. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=feca80af-68ac-3b51-a987-8e8aba442e58.

Neese, Brian. 15 Assistive Technology Tools & Reseources For Students With Disabilites. N/D. www.teachthought.com/technology/assistive-technology

Google books

 Google Books 

by Ana Ignacio

https://video-ebscohost-com.palomar.idm.oclc.org/c/3wabvt/details/1_05k56ie9?lang=en-US&q=google+books 

Technology has increasingly transformed how we access information, gradually replacing many physical formats. Libraries, in particular, have evolved by incorporating extensive digital collections. In the early 2000s, Google launched Google Books, partnering with major academic libraries to digitize books. 

This collaboration, known as the Google Library Project, aimed to make vast amounts of book content accessible online. Depending on copyright status, some books were made fully available, while others offered limited previews. The initiative served as a tool for discovery, helping users locate library materials or directing them to purchase options. 

However, the project also sparked significant legal challenges. Questions arose about copyright infringement and whether Google's large-scale digitization was fair use under U.S. law. 

Google Books marked a pivotal point in the evolution of digital information access. By making digitized collections available to a global audience, it demonstrated the potential of technology to expand knowledge sharing. Still, this advancement underscores the need to respect and uphold copyright laws in the digital age. 

 

Carnevale, D. (2007). Google Strikes a Deal With 12 Universities to Digitize 10 Million Books. Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(41), A35. 

Huwe, Terence k. (2015). Building Digital Libraries. Collaborative Collection Development Comes of Age. Computers in Libraries, 35(3), 25–27. 

Google aims to create largest digital library. (2009, September 4). Associated Press. 

Assistive Technology (AT) & Libraries

Assistive Technology (AT) & Libraries 

by Ana Ignacio

Libraries offer valuable services to the community and are committed to accommodating individuals with disabilities. They serve as inclusive spaces where users can easily access a wide range of resources. To enhance accessibility, libraries provide adaptive equipment such as specialized headphones, keyboards, making computer use more comfortable for everyone. 

Individuals can read or listen to materials with the support of assistive technology and software. Trained library staff help users understand and operate these tools, ensuring that the unique needs of the community are met. Tools like screen readers, speech recognition software, visual aids, and literacy programs enhance the overall user experience. 

Libraries proudly share their services and create welcoming, tech-friendly spaces where learners of all abilities can thrive. 

Guder, C. S., & Booth, C. (2012). Making the Right Decisions about Assistive Technology in Your Library. Library Technology Reports, 48(7), 14–21.