[Publib] Smart Smartphones (Business Week Tech & You)

[Scott Bonner]

My questions:
1- Do public libraries have a preference?  iPhone, Blackberry, or other?

Our library does not provide cellphones.  I can't, off the top of my head,
think of any compelling reason to do so.  We still work at desks, on
computers, for the most part, so I'm not seeing what (necessary to library
duties) an iphone provides that my computer won't.  Is a reference question
better answered if texted from a phone rather than a PC?  I could check our
catalog while in the stacks, but then we have catalog PCs right by our
stacks, and we aren't that big a library.  I don't think, in this economic
climate (or perhaps any other) that it would be a good use of limited funds
to drop hundreds on smartphones.

I also personally don't have a preference for either iPhone or Blackberry.
I can't even afford a regular, subscription-based personal cellphone (I use
a no-frills burner - cheaper), much less drop hundreds of dollars on a
smartphone.  If I were to come across the extra cash specifically for a
smartphone, I would be inclined to go with a phone using Google's Android,
for future adaptability without so many proprietary restrictions.  Open
source forever!  (well, mostly open source, anyway)

2- Given cell phones are moving to smartphones (voice and Internet), are
public libraries providing handheld devices to more members of their staff?


This library isn't.  If it did, I would love it and use it every day,
listening to podcasts, sharing pictures of my kids, calling my wife at home,
and all kinds of other things that are not library-related.  It sure would
be fun, and cool, and hip!  (Well, in a
2-years-ago-with-more-money-than-sense kind of way with the iPhone, and a
early-oughts-power-broker sort of way with a Blackberry, and a modern-geeky
way with the Google phone - not to play on stereotypes, of course.)

3- How are libraries using their cell or smartphones?  I'm collecting
administrative, reference, assistive technology, outreach, and other
examples.  I'll do a hotlist of what I collect.

We aren't, to my knowledge.  I'm looking forward to your compiled list, so I
can see all the practical uses that I did not immediately occur to me above.
I also want to know which libraries are providing smartphones to staff -
because I bet they pay pretty well.  Can you provide the hiring department
contact, too?

4- Last year at E-RATE training, I kept hearing reference to "Blackberry"
(rather than the generic term cell phone), so I'm assuming these are very
popular with school district administrators. 

I can't speak for public schools.  I can't even speak for the next library
down the block.  I bet I can think of better ways to spend public money,
though.

5- Are most libraries' cell phone/smartphone monthly service costs getting
covered by E-Rate discounts, both Telecom and Internet Access categories?
Just Telecom? Or not aware that monthly service is E-Rate eligible?

See above.

Scott Bonner, Adult Services Librarian
Richmond Heights Memorial Library
8001 Dale Avenue, Richmond Heights, MO 63117
Phone: (314) 645-6202   Fax: (314) 781-3434
sbonner at rhmlibrary.org 

All opinions expressed are my own -- obviously.

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of SIMINITUS, JACQUELYN E (ATTPB)
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:32 AM
To: calix at listproc.sjsu.edu; publib at webjunction.org; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Smart Smartphones (Business Week Tech & You)

FYI:
Business Week (11/24) Tech & You column by Stephen H. Wildstrom is
entitled "The Only True Smart Smartphones" and goes on to say why the
iPhone and various BlackBerrys stand head and shoulder above everything
else -- thanks to Apple and RIM having a clear vision.  See online
version at http://businessweek.com/go/techmaven    Love the graphic of
the 2 phones (king and queen).

My questions:
1- Do public libraries have a preference?  iPhone, Blackberry, or other?
2- Given cell phones are moving to smartphones (voice and Internet), are
public libraries providing handheld devices to more members of their
staff?  
3- How are libraries using their cell or smartphones?  I'm collecting
administrative, reference, assistive technology, outreach, and other
examples.  I'll do a hotlist of what I collect.
4- Last year at E-RATE training, I kept hearing reference to
"Blackberry" (rather than the generic term cell phone), so I'm assuming
these are very popular with school district administrators. 
5- Are most libraries' cell phone/smartphone monthly service costs
getting covered by E-Rate discounts, both Telecom and Internet Access
categories?  Just Telecom? Or not aware that monthly service is E-Rate
eligible?

Is there is a big trend or compelling story to send to Business Week,
about how libraries use smartphones?
Thanks! 

**********************
Jackie Siminitus, MLS, AT&T Regional Library Director
795 Folsom Street, Room 400, San Francisco, CA 94107
415-644-7112 : jacquelyn.siminitus at att.com
AT&T Blue Web'n Library, www.kn.att.com/wired/bluewebn/
http://2CoolTools.blogspot.com; http://Advocate4Libraries.blogspot.com

http://DiscoveringAT.blogspot.com   




_______________________________________________
Publib mailing list
Publib at webjunction.org
http://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib