Mobile Technology and Libraries
This technology has been used by Apple in their retail stores since 2013. From a commercial standpoint, it's meant to sell products using targeted advertising. When used in a library environment, it can inform patrons of upcoming classes, events or holiday closures. What makes it so cool is that the transmitters can be placed in specific areas of the library that directly relate to the message sent. For example, say a patron walks into the public computer area. A beacon there can "sense" this movement and send a message to the patron's phone about computer classes that month. In the children's room, a similar message could be sent, but this time related to kids activities.
Depending on which app developer is chosen, the purchased app may be able to communicate with the library's ILS (integrated library system) and remind patrons of due dates and any outstanding fees. The CapiraMobile app supports self-check out and updates patron records when items are checked out or returned. After event calendars are updated by library staff, beacons update those messages automatically. Notifications can be set to send only single messages so that patrons aren't bothered my multiple message "pings" while walking back and forth through the library.
One major feature of this service is the ability of patrons to forward the messages they receive on their phone, either on social media sites or directly to friends and family. This expands the library's marketability and exposure in the community to levels far beyond what a webpage can provide. A second, and equally important, feature is the mapping of foot traffic in the library. This information can show where patrons like to hang out and what areas they tend to avoid.
Of course, this all relies on the willingness of patrons to download the app in the first place. Privacy policies must be clearly presented. Patrons can choose to receive messages or opt out, with the ability to change the setting later on. Many may be uncomfortable with the notion of anonymous tracking even after reading how their information will be handled. Each phone has its own Unique Device Identifier number, but both Apple and Android scramble that information. The beacons only recognize if it's a phone they've interacted with before, how many messages have "pinged" the phone and if any of those messages were shared via text or email. (This is the creepy part I mentioned at the beginning.)
The outreach potential using this type of technology could be explosive. It simplifies how information is shared with patrons and gives them the power to share it with others quickly. It's even possible to set up library beacons in remote locations like commuter train stations or schools so that the outreach expands even further. The possibilities are almost endless! For more information on this topic, check out this similar article: https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/04/technology/beacon-developer-netobjex-enters-library-market-with-smartlibrary/.
If the idea of beacons and how they work really intrigues you, here's a great video fully explaining it all...
Cited works:
Enis,
M. (2015, April 10). Beacon Developer NetObjex Enters Library Market
with SmartLibrary. Retrieved from
https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/04/technology/beacon-developer-netobjex-enters-library-market-with-smartlibrary/
Enis,
M. (2014, November 18). "Beacon" Technology Deployed by Two Library App
Makers. Retrieved from
https://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/11/marketing/beacon-technology-deployed-by-two-library-app-makers/
That's fascinating! I've never heard of ibecons before. Thanks for sharing such cutting edge technology!
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