Faculty and Staff in the University Libraries have brainstormed a list of technological challenges that could improve the functionality of our library spaces. We are interested in hearing what you think of these challenges and what other challenges we might try to tackle through BiblioTech Labs.
Robots In The Library
We are interested in working with researchers to include robots in the library space. Tasks that could be given to the robots include completing book checkout, delivery, and return; telepresence interactions with librarians; and basic directional navigation (i.e. tours) in the Sorrells Library. We would also be interested in working with students/faculty to create a “Robot Reference Librarian” similar in many ways to the RoboCeptionist to help automate the processing of research questions, but know when to refer a library use to a librarian or other staff member. Robots with personality are welcome!
User Interfaces for Electronic Content
Our resources are increasingly moving to a digital format and with this comes a lack of ‘browsability’ of the collection. We will soon be incorporating touch-screen information kiosks into the libraries, but the functionality of these kiosks will be very basic in the beginning (e.g. restricted access to a set of library webpages). Many of the research databases and electronic resources to which we subscribe have APIs for interacting with the information contained therein and in the case of the CMU Libraries’ Digital Initiatives (e.g. Archives), we own the content. We see potential for the development of unique user interfaces for browsing and visualizing these data sources within the library.
Book(Shelf) Usage
While the CMU Libraries keep statistics for books that are checked out of the system, there is a not insignificant amount of in-library use of materials that is not well tracked, but is still important to note. Would it be possible to build a sensor system that could identify when a book came off the shelf and what the book was? Could this be achieved at low cost and while maintaining the anonymity of the library user?
Study Area Availability
Our study carrels, group study rooms, and study tables are frequently filled to capacity. An online tool that would allow users to see what study rooms etc. are currently being used, based preferably on actual use rather than reservations, could make life easier for students using our spaces. We could also use the information provided by such a system to better understand our patrons’ library use patterns.
Gaming and Education
We currently have two video games available on the library website to help with education about the library and how to use our resources. We would be interested in expanding this set of video games to include new games that are designed based on current research into game design for education. As a side project, we would also be interested in loading these games to an old-fashioned arcade box that could live in the library or other buildings on campus for old-style video gaming with a library bent.
Book Shelf Organization
A common, and much maligned, task in libraries is shelf reading – the process of looking at all of the books on the shelves to ensure that they are in the proper call number order. This is a highly laborious process that may be well suited for some form of automation or technological assistance.
Marketing Library Services
Traditional modes for library services appear, at times, to be ineffective for engaging students and faculty. We are interested in technological solutions to engaging library users with our services including any of the following (or any that you can imagine!):
- Reference services (ask a librarian)
- Circulation (checking things out)
- Finding books or other materials in the library
- Library Hours
- Finding electronic resources (e.g. research databases, eBooks, eJournals)