I’ve shown what iBeacons are, and what they do in non-retail settings. Can they be used in a library setting? Definitely – because some libraries are already experimenting with them!
There are currently two companies in the library industry working with iBeacons (that I know of, anyway):
What are these companies focusing on?
Bluubeam sends out location-based messaging. For example, if you walk into the teens area of the library (and have the Bluubeam app on your mobile device), you might get a message about what’s happening in the teen section that day, or get a message about an upcoming teen event.
So think location-based promotion of events and your stuff.
Capira Technologies does location-based messaging. They’re also working on more personalized info. For example, here’s what they say about circulation notices:
Patrons who have authenticated their account information in your library app can receive notifications about items due that day, items ready for pickup, and much more when they enter the building. Library staff know that patrons often visit the library and forget they have items due that day. Automatically reminding them to stop by the circulation desk and renew them before they leave is a great customer service.
What types of things could you do with iBeacons in a library? Here are some ideas:
- Event notices that are location-based
- Promotion of new library services. For example, if a customer walks by your new makerspace, they could receive a message explaining it, and maybe an “ask the librarian” prompt for more information.
- Building tours!
- Around-town tours. I’d love to see iBeacons connected to a historical walking tour, for example. This has the potential to be much better than portable headsets, and definitely better than QR codes.
- Art gallery explanations. We have an art gallery. It might work to have explanations of art pieces or more information about the current exhibit.
- Shelving notices. What’s on this shelf? Capira goes much further with this idea – “For example, if a library offered a row of shelves with New Releases, a patron could view items released that day using their device and a beacon located on the shelf.”
- Patron Assistance (again from Capira). Devices can time how long a beacon stays in range. Staff can be notified if a patron spends an excessive amount of time in a specific area or room without moving, possibly indicating they may require assistance looking for items.
- Beacon Tracking – Anonymous tracking via iBeacons can capture how library customers move around in your building, along with how much time is spent in each area. Retail stores already do this, and then move their products around to where customers gather. Something to think about!
Again – there is potentially a LOT of possibility here. What do you think? Please share!
iBeacon image by Jonathan Nalder
Thanks for sharing about ibeacons. I will be teaching in a 1:1 iPad school next year and I am interested in using ibeacons around the building. You’ve given me some good ideas!
Thanks,
@jonathanferrell
This seems like a huge invasion of privacy…permission or not. I can imagine what level this technology can be taken to and it’s just too much. I guess I’ve reach the end of my technology adaptor capacity.
I agree. I think we are over monitored a thousand fold and I’m sick of having these apps that I might only use once on my phone transmitting my personal details back to a company who may or may not have an honest agenda.
At TU Delft Library (the Netherlands) we are experimenting with an iBeacon library introduction tour for new international students. Guided by the iBeacons and an app, they get all the information they need to use the library to their advantage in a fun & interactive way. We use audio, video and gaming elements. No tracking, no personal info needed, so no privacy issues.
Great post David! Beacons do have the potential to disrupt various verticals with their capability to enhance experiences like no other technological advancement has in recent years. With the latest advancement in the iBeacon space – Virtual beacons, deploying beacons has become a lot more easier. In settings such as libraries, where you would expect book shelves to be relocated often, having static (standard) beacons placed around and campaigns accordingly, can be a bit cumbersome in case you want to reposition the shelves. in case of virtual beacons, there is just one physical beacon that’s required to be placed at the entrance and then you can input the floor plan into the system. One can draw zones on the floor plan to define areas where messages need to be sent to customers. More here: http://bit.ly/1FQiUh2
Informative article David, Bookstores and Libraries have, for a very long time, been a haven for all kinds of book readers and aficionados and the bigger the bookstore/Library, the bigger the satisfaction of browsing through various books at your own pace, whilst keeping an eye out for something that you may like. Sometimes though, if you’re looking for a particular book of which you may only remember part of the title, it can be quite a hassle to find it in a huge bookstore/Library, even if you did know what genre the book is. That’s where beacons come in, Here is an amazing article which discuss about usage of beacon technology in bookstores/Library : http://bfonics.com/bfonicscms/business/can-beacons-bring-back-readers-to-bookstores/