Hospital libraries have been finding new ways to provide easy access to electronic content for the past several years. More and more subscription resources for healthcare professionals are including mobile apps and sites as part of library packages. The use of mobile devices and resources is new to both library staff and healthcare professionals. In an effort to promote these resources and the Library’s role in delivering both mobile and electronic content, Capital Health Library purchased three iPads (one for each Library location) to use for training Library staff and providing instruction to healthcare professionals. All iPads were synced under a generic Library Gmail account and set up with shortcuts to all Library-provided subscription apps and mobile sites. All Library staff were provided basic training. A LibGuide for mobile resources <
http://libguides.cdha.nshealth.ca/MobileResources> and promotional posters were created following institutional branding guidelines. Recently, the Library held the first mobile resource drop-in session and is delivering mobile training to specific healthcare provider groups (e.g. Nurses). Processes involved in device set-up, training, and service promotion will be discussed. Content delivery tools, the importance of branding and outreach, issues encountered and new roles will be presented to highlight the importance of understanding, explaining, and advocating for the role of libraries in delivering mobile access and electronic content.
