Do librarians use smartphones much? I often point to research showing the penetration of smartphones (iPhones, Blackberries, and Droids) in the general public, community and student markets. I asked myself, I wonder if librarians use smartphones more or less or the same as the general public? So, we (Gale Cengage) decided to do a little (slightly unscientific) poll of my Twitter followers, blog subscribers and Facebook friends. I wonder what the results will be but we’ll be sure to share them here. Feel free to forward this poll using any social media you might choose that has librarians there.
My personal prediction is that this little poll will produce some very interesting results and cause more questions than it solves!
Smartphones Poll
Take the poll and create new questions.
Please participate – even if you don’t have a smartphone! It is only 3 questions.
Stephen
20 Responses
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I was wondering this at OLA in relation to Twitter. It wasn’t specifically about smartphones, more phones in general, and the ability to use them to access Twitter, Facebook, etc.
Much bemoaing over lack of wifi at the MTCC, but very few people using their phones to update statuses or tweet, even though I saw a number of phones around.
Heck, I’m a retired librarian and I have a Blackberry. World’s weirdest retirement gift, in some ways, but I love it.
Not a single librarian at the university library I worked at had a smartphone.
Stephen, I can’t imagine not having my blackberry (or some type of smartphone — I’m just so used to my blackberry); I’m now on my 6th blackberry & will upgrade again in April. It’s my email (from 2 accounts), phone, calendar, address books, has my music, my files, photos, maps, gps; all I’m waiting for is a connector for an LCD — then i won’t carry my laptop at all. And this April I’ll get a bluetooth keyboard. It’s my office as well as my connection to my friends & family – oh – & my alarm clock!!!
You need to add a “why” question. Why don’t I have an iPhone or plan to purchase one? Because my librarian paycheck is small and my library school debt is large. I would love to have one. But I’d also love to live above the poverty line (after debt’s accounted for.)
Since I already have a smart phone, I wasn’t sure how to answer #3 (I’m not planning to get another one). And it wouldn’t let me leave it blank….
You should add a question for why we do not have a smart phone.
I lust after one, but alas, can not afford the data package. It is much different then if I did not have one because I disdained them.
I was at an e-books conference when a vendor asked the same question. All of the vendors stuck their hands up, but not a single one of the librarians did…..I couldn’t hold back and piped up with “That’s because the librarians can’t afford them”.
And it’s true, we’re not luddites…..but the economic reality of UK public libraries…..
Answered using iPhone. Am now considering untethering from my Franklin because the iPhone is so easy and convenient.
It’d be interesting to know how many librarians use them because they get them from their employer versus those who have them for personal use. (I think all managers at the library where I work have the option of having a Blackberry though not all do.)
I’ve had my DROID now since January and don’t know what I did before without it. I hardly use my home computer anymore. Interestingly, it has freed up time for my wife to start using facebook. I pretty much do everything on my phone. The only problem is that, now when inputing notes or events into my phone, people assume I am checking email or texting and get annoyed.
I would love to get a smartphone, but being currently underemployed as a librarian (and don’t see that changing anytime soon), the budget won’t allow it. That’s one thing the survey did not bring out.
As others have noted, I would love to have one and can see it being very useful in my work and home lives both, but can’t afford the service charges and they are not offered to staff at my library. I’ve considered proposing obtaining one to offer reference service “after hours”, since all of us subject specialists leave by 5 or 6 pm, to at least pilot, but we’re just not there yet.
As a librarian who sits in from of a screen all day, (so wouldn’t use it from 9-6)I really can’t justify another $30 per month for the service, as much as I’d like to.
#3 needs you to specify which smartphone(s) you plan on getting. I selected one answer, but I’m really looking over three different ones before I make a final decision. Part of the decision will be based on the phone carrier. And that’s the problem–you can’t select a phone and the phone carrier separately.
I’ve debated for months between a Droid or iphone. I bought an iphone, but I still lust after a Droid. If I could justify having two…
I have never been a big fan of cell phones—yes, I know it’s the culture now but I kind of like private conversations! I’ve had a cell for many years but resented what I paid for it, given how little I used it. That ALL changed once I got my iPhone—I wouldn’t give it up now for anything. The “phone” part is probably what I use if for the least. The initial cost and monthly fee have been well worth it (even with AT&T, which I’m not as fond of).
It’s interesting that folks are wanting a question to ask “why don’t I have one?” when the first thing that came into my mind was, “why DO we have them? and what are we using them for?” It is always assumed that a geeky, tech junky or young person or someone who wants the newest and fastest are the folks purchasing smart phones. But, I know of another group that I have met online/in person and happen to be a member of : folks that have sustained brain injuries.
My occupational therapist suggested I purchase a Blackberry (I ended up getting G1 (Android) to help me remember things. I had been carrying a small notebook in my pocket; but, I wasn’t that reliable to keep it with me. With the smartphone, I am quite google dependent but I have access to my email, gcal (which i synced with my work calendar (lifesaver)) and can set alerts for just about everything. I set alarms to remember to go get my clothes from the laundry in my building, to call folks I need to call, to pay bills, pretty much everything I really need to remember. Another feature I use way more than I thought I would is the GPS feature. I don’t have a GPS in my car and sometimes I forget to print out the directions until I’m in the car and on the highway. With the GPS, I can link up with the maps I have stored in GMaps, get directions, find my way out of being lost in a city my atlases don’t cover and jog my memory about street and/or business names.
In the beginning, I felt like I was constantly apologizing to everyone for having this “ridiculous” phone; but, I need the damn thing and I’m glad I have it. It has made a world of difference in my life.
I got a blackberry with my latest job, and am totally addicted; but despite not being an Apple person, I think I’d be very tempted by an iphone if I was buying for myself.
It’s interesting – I still don’t have my personal email on it, only work email, and internet access is awful (I’ve a small screen), so it’s a great work tool, but nothing like as addictive as my sister’s iphone.
I think we’re starting to see a sea change in this market. No longer do we need to drop $200-$350 on an iPhone; a Droid with the same (free) applications can be had today for a mere $50 @ http://wireless.amazon.com/
The challenge, I know, is the $30/mo. data access fee.
The Droid/iPhone are identical in functionality and usefulness. Truly mobile Internet, FaceBook, Twitter, blogging, etc. is now possible and pervasive. I’ve only had my Droid for a short time, but now spend far less time tethered to a desk and full PC/Mac. We have computers in our pockets, with Google’s amazing data set to guide us in the real world, with Augmented Reality making a huge impact.
Now it’s time for library vendors to make it easier to access the deep Web via these phones, figure out authentication, and set the library free from its walls.