Poster Board Number: 13
Title: Rethinking Our Mobility: Supporting Our Patrons Where They Live
Objective: To describe the initiatives undertaken by the library to develop a mobile presence and support our patrons in a mobile environment.
Methods: With the rise in use of smart phones and other mobile devices by health care professionals and students, the library recognized the need to both develop a mobile library website and provide support to patrons trying to use library resources through a mobile device. The library planned a multipronged approach: an initial survey of our patrons to assess what resources they are using, the development of a mobile library website, a LibGuide to support the use of these resources, and live drop-in technology hours when patrons could get one-on-one assistance.
Results: The online survey provided a good snapshot of what our patrons are doing in the mobile environment. The drop-in technology hours were very successful, prompting the scheduling of additional sessions throughout the year. The mobile website was launched with great fanfare, resulting in impressive use of the site and encouraging feedback from patrons. Finally, the LibGuide statistics bear out the importance of having a resource available 24/7 to support users and provide a home for logistical specifics such as necessary logins, download procedures, and other technical details.
Authors: Alexandra Gomes, AHIP, Associate Director, Education, Information, and Technology Services; Elizabeth Palena Hall, Web Services Coordinator; Laura Abate, Electronic Resources and Instructional Librarian; Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library; George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC
