Innovative library uses of handheld devices

Citation

Richards, S.L.F. (2002), "Innovative library uses of handheld devices", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 19 No. 9. https://doi.org/10.1108/lhtn.2002.23919iaf.001

Innovative library uses of handheld devices

Sylvie L.F. Richards

Handheld devices are becoming ubiquitous on college campuses, particularly as they become more affordable and equipped with more features. The first generation of these devices were PIMs (personal information managers) and faculty, staff, and students used these devices to manage appointments, contact lists, and scheduled tasks. But more sophisticated devices, such as the PocketPC and the Palm m130, contain versions of Microsoft Office products specifically designed for handheld devices, and third-party vendors are creating handheld-specific applications as well. For instance, on an iPaq PocketPC it is now possible to watch movie files, hear audio files, and view slide shows and image files. More importantly for libraries, it is possible to create handheld versions of digital documents. E-book catalogs containing all kinds of downloadable documents for handheld devices are now part of the many services offered to patrons in a modern library.

The types of documents created as e-books are limitless. These include handheld versions (PocketPC and Palm) of your library's home page, FAQs, patron usage instructions, maps, training materials, information about collections, copyright information and guidelines, and policy statements. Adobe now offers a handheld version of its PDF reader, so library PDF files can also be downloaded into handheld devices. A library patron can now carry around on his/her handheld device all of the pertinent library information needed to use the library's resources successfully.

How does one go about creating an e-book? Because the creation process is device-specific and because readers are not cross-platform, it is important to take into account multiple configurations for each e-book. So I shall describe here various methods for different platforms:

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  To create Microsoft Reader books. At the present time, Microsoft Reader books can only be created using a PC for PocketPCs. The newest version of Microsoft Office 2002XP allows the user to download a free utility called Word RMR. This utility allows you to convert any Word file (including graphics) into a Microsoft Reader file. Also, since Word easily imports HTML files, any Web page that you have created can thus become a Microsoft Reader book. For a handheld equipped for wired or wireless Internet connectivity, such an e-book with clickable links becomes a valuable tool for directed searches.

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  To read Microsoft Reader books. Microsoft provides a free download for its reader for PC users. PocketPC users will find the Microsoft Reader native to their operating system. MAC users can also have the benefits of Microsoft Reader by using PocketMAC, a low-cost utility that can be downloaded from the Web. MAC users who own PocketPCs should consult the following file: http://www.pocketmac.net/MacUsersGuideToPocketPCs.pdf

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  To create Palm Reader books. For both PC and MAC users, Palm provides a free utility called a Palm DropBook that can be downloaded from its site. Once this utility has been installed, it is possible to create Palm Reader books using Microsoft Word. The easiest way to do it is to download the template from this site: http://www.peanutpress.com/makebook/word2pml.zip. Place the file into Word's "Templates." Now open a new Word file and open the "word2pml" template. Insert the text that you wish to convert into Palm Reader form. Using the "Macros" from the "Tools" menu, select "word2pml." Click "Run," and the Word document will be converted into .pml code. Use the DropBook utility to then build the e-book.

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  To read Palm Reader Books. Palm Readers are native to Palm devices. The reader can be downloaded for free to any PC. Palm Desktop software 4.0 for MAC is now available from Apple at: www.apple.com

Libraries wishing to make information available to patrons who use a handheld device can do so in the following ways. You can create both Microsoft Reader and Palm Reader versions of library documents and place these in an e-books catalog accessible from your library's home page. You can also make available all of the free e-books currently available in both reader formats, as the University of Virginia Library has done. E-books can thus be downloaded and placed on to the patron's handheld device by clicking the appropriate format icon. The patron can now access information about the location of collections, for instance, as s/he is walking around the library by consulting his/her handheld device. This process can eliminate a substantial number of redundant questions that librarians answer daily.

You can also set up information kiosks equipped with a product like EthIR LAN from Clarinet IR. Both Palm and PocketPC have native infra-red capabilities that permit network access through TCP/IP/PPP. At these information kiosks, patrons and library staff can execute an exchange of information between the kiosk and a handheld. The location of these kiosks should be selected with attention given to traffic flow patterns, and they should be indicated on directional maps in the library. If you are desirous of increasing the visibility of an underused area of the library, then locating an infra-red kiosk there would be a good idea. On the other hand, it would not be wise to locate such a kiosk at the reference desk because it would interfere with a vital library service.

Handheld devices can assist reference librarians in a different way. Microsoft has created software called Portrait that permits two-way videoconferencing using a PocketPC (a similar application is under development at Palm). Using a wireless sleeve to connect to your network and an HP pocket camera mounted on to the PocketPC, a reference librarian now gains mobility within a library's wireless network and can answer a patron's question from any location in the library. In addition, a patron who has a reference question need not leave his/her computer station in order to have a reference question answered. The patron uses Microsoft Portrait installed on the PC along with a mounted "eye" camera, and the patron can talk to and view the reference librarian in real time. The patron can access the "virtual" reference librarian from any computer configured in this way, in the library, on campus, at home, or from a PocketPC equipped with a mounted camera, Portrait, and Internet access. Using PocketPCs in this way, librarians can bring point of service immediacy to patrons.

Unquestionably, new library applications will emerge as the sophistication of handheld devices develops. As libraries position themselves as content providers in the digital age, care must be given to the development of wireless and infra-red networks that will allow the seamless coexistence of both desktop and handheld applications in the library. Similarly, librarians must be trained to use these new devices effectively so that they can provide these services to patrons. Likewise, libraries must employ a greater number of trained technology staff to deploy and maintain networks and to create digital content in the form of e-books to keep up with patron demand. All of these innovations will go far in defining the relevant and pivotal role of libraries on college and university campuses as providers of intellectual content and technology leaders in this digital age.

Sylvie L.F. Richards (answergrape@compuserve.com) is a Multimedia Designer/Developer Specialist in Academic IT – Library at Brooklyn College, City University of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA.