1. Going Mobile
Monday, 14 April 2014 1
Implementing a mobile strategy at the University of
Surrey
Claire Gravely & Claire Koch

2. • Increase in number of users coming to support desks with
mobile devices
• Queries about apps advertised on provider pages
• Increased access of Library website on mobile devices
Monday, 14 April 2014 2
Background
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
2010-2011 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013
Mobile access

3. To improve access to our resources and
information from any device, anywhere
Monday, 14 April 2014 3
The Aim

4. • Staff familiarisation with mobile devices
• Workshops
• Integration of mobile devices into staff workflows
• E-Resources & Web Support teams
• Academic Liaison Librarians
• Roving
• Student support desks
Monday, 14 April 2014 4
Stage 1: Staff Focus
The Approach

5. Benefits:
• Increased staff confidence
when roving and at support
desks
• Increased services at support
desks
• Professionalism at University
level meetings
Monday, 14 April 2014 5
The Approach
Stage 1: Staff Focus

6. 170 Providers checked:
• 17 had mobile optimised
sites only
• 28 had apps
• 14 had usable/useful
apps
Monday, 14 April 2014 6
Stage 2: App Investigation
The Approach
http://xkcd.com/1174

7. What we look for:
• Easy
• Clear
• Usable
• Free!
Monday, 14 April 2014 7
Stage 2: App Investigation
The Approach
http://xkcd.com/1174

8. Monday, 14 April 2014 8
Stage 3: Student Feedback
The Approach
Yes
If there
was an app
If it was
mobile
friendly
No
Would you access library Resources on
your phone/tablet?

9. Monday, 14 April 2014 9
Stage 3: Student Feedback
The Approach
“Being able to do everything is a good
idea, but most of the time it will be just for
simple things.”
“It’s as easy as using anything else on my
phone.”

10. Monday, 14 April 2014 10
Stage 3: Student Feedback
The Approach
“I think an app would be so much easier”
“As long as it’s free”
“Sometimes when I’m writing an essay on
my laptop, I have a journal article up on my
iPad”

11. Change what we can, now, to improve
service and access
Monday, 14 April 2014 11
The Approach

12. Monday, 14 April 2014 12
Stage 4: Quick Wins
The Approach
Started using QR codes

13. Monday, 14 April 2014 13
Stage 4: Quick Wins
The Approach
Activated the Mobile version of the catalogue

14. Monday, 14 April 2014 14
Stage 4: Quick Wins
The Approach
Made opening hours and room booking pages mobile friendly

15. • New Website
• Mobile friendly from the start
• MySurrey app
• Keeping up to date with new technologies
• Working with Marketing and IT
Monday, 14 April 2014 15
Future Projects
Next Steps

16. Find out how your users would like to access information
Find out what is happening elsewhere in your institution
Identify quick wins. What can you do now? Try it out
Ensure staff are trained and comfortable with technology
Don’t forget: mobile technology can help staff too!
Monday, 14 April 2014 16
What have we learnt?
Recommendations

17. Monday, 14 April 2014 17
Claire Koch
Virtual Support & eServices Developer
c.koch@surrey.ac.uk
@claire_joanne
Claire Gravely
Information Resources Advisor
c.gravely@surrey.ac.uk
@library_claire
Thank you!