Library clouds
Reading Michael Stephens’ post on the mobile web and what libraries can do about it opened my eyes to some new thoughts on “library clouds”. First of all, it hadn’t occurred to me that some libraries might still be actually banning cell phone use (I wasn’t really aware that they ever had been – how can you possibly enforce something like that?), but I certainly agree with Stephens that libraries should be providing lots of access at fast speeds… in a VERY ideal world, of course. In some ways, I think his points have a little more relevance for campus libraries, which now usually function as a kind of library/computer centre, tapping into the campus network at high speeds, offering multiple browsers, etc. – all the things Stephens recommends. Public libraries, however, may often be a different matter. Lots of computer access at large central libraries is fairly ubiquitous now, but small, peripheral branches often suffer from a lack of access… because of a lack of funding. It’s all very well to recommend greater access for greater use of the cloud, but that takes money that is often unavailable, unfortunately.
I do, however, like Stephens’ suggestions for using the cloud in libraries… saving money using OpenOffice, training staff and patrons on things like Google Docs: these are good, low cost ways to utilize the cloud and stay on top of the mobile web. And I think the ultimate, awesome example of awesome mobile web library use is the Iowa City Public Library catalogue for the smartphone. Now, if I had a smartphone, and if my local library did this… I’d be pretty darn excited.