Librarians prepare to help patrons overcome the digital divide in Northeast Florida

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this innovative, highly replicable paper is to teach library staff learn to use mobile apps to lead and assist patrons and effectively market library services. Design/methodology/approach This web-based class introduces participants to one mobile app a week. Participants must download the app to an Apple or Droid device, complete an activity and answer a few thought-provoking questions. Participants’ time commitment does not exceed one hour per week. Findings Participants were proud and excited to have mastered their mobile device and 23 mobile apps. They reported that they planned to create programs to teach apps to patrons, market their services using apps and continue to stay current with technological advances. Researchlimitations/implications Participants need to have access to a mobile device. Practicalimplications Library directors allowed staff to use an hour a week of work time to complete this program. Socialimplications Library staff enjoyed talking about the apps and working together. Each Monday morning when a new app was revealed, they competed to be the first to complete the activity and post answers to the questions online. They had fun. Originality/value This program allows customization. It was customized to meet the strategic needs of the authors’ organization, encouraging a sense of community among participants, marketing their services and highlighting member libraries that were already using some of the apps well. (One of our libraries had their own app and that became one of the Things.)