This summer, I did a bit of traveling … and noticed that mobile is EVERYWHERE.

here’s what I mean by that. For example, at the airport recently, here’s what I saw:

• Phones and tablets everywhere (obviously)
• The person sitting next to me on the plane was texting using her voice instead of typing. She sent probably 25 messages to her poor son, who was going to end up with a huge list of things to do 🙂
• Not quite mobile, but still cool – I could watch my flight’s progress on the video screen in front of me.
• The video screen also suggested a variety of hashtags to use for sharing my flight experience on social media.
• While the person next to me voice-texted away, I read a book. On my iPad.
• My iPhone told me about gate changes and delays before the staff at the gate announced them.
• While waiting for the plane, I ordered lunch on a stationary iPad.

Just weird! I know, I know … you probably see this too, and use some of it, just like me. But when you step back a little and just observe what’s happening, it’s pretty mind-blowing. This is a lot of change in a relatively short timeframe.

And the airports and airplanes aren’t quite keeping up yet. The plane’s power outlets and USB plugs couldn’t charge my iPad. And the airport waiting area simply wasn’t equipped to handle hundreds of devices needing to be recharged. If you found an empty outlet, you were one of the lucky ones!

Now translate this experience to your library. Are you equipped to handle the mobile revolution?

• Do you have great wifi that doesn’t slow down?
• Do you have adequate places for customers to charge their mobile devices?
• And do you have comfy seating around those outlets and charging stations?
• Do you have multiple apps and a responsive website, so your customers have a great mobile experience while using the library on their phones?
• Do your self-check kiosks scan digital barcodes, or do you have to dig around for your physical library card?
• Do you have “Instagram worthy” places around the library for people to take selfies? And have hashtag suggestions for those photo takers?

Just something to think about as our world continues to shift!

Photo by George Redgrave