Personal Digital Assistants
(PDAs)
Contents
Why
should libraries care about PDA use?
Advantages
for the library using PDAs
Definition
A Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA) is:
Cuddy, C. (2005).
Using PDAs in libraries: A how-to-do-it manual. New York: Neal-Schuman.
Examples of
“personal organization functions”
However PDAs
also offer:
more and more of
the features of a PC
Hybrids include
telephone functions
History
US Robotics introduces
Palm Pilot
AND
Microsoft
introduces
Windows CE for palm-size
PCs
Psion
1 Digital Pocket Organizer
Microsoft replaces Windows
CE with Pocket PC
Wireless Connectivity
Hybrid Devices
Palm/ Pocket PC compete
as operating systems
|
US Robotics introduces
Palm Pilot AND Microsoft introduces Windows CE for palm-size
PCs |
|
Psion
1 Digital Pocket Organizer |
|
Microsoft replaces Windows
CE with Pocket PC |
|
Wireless Connectivity Hybrid Devices Palm/ Pocket PC compete
as operating systems |
Palm
1984 1993 1996 1998 2002 2006
Apple Newton Discontinued RIM introduces Blackberry Apple Newton coins the term “Personal Digital
Assistant”
Above timeline designed by E.Eisenhauer (2006), is based on
information from Cuddy, C. (2005). Using PDAs in libraries: A how-to-do-it
manual. New York: Neal-Schuman. pp 2-5.
For
more information on the history of PDAs
see
the following links:
Howstuffworks "for
the history buffs"
Unique characteristics
Portability
Although the small size may make it easy to lose, it provides great portability…
PDAs are being used extensively in the healthcare
environment, providing valuable information at the
point-of-care.
For example
see:
Dee, Cheryl R. (2005). Physicians’ use of the personal
digital assistant (PDA) in clinical decision making. Journal of the Medical
Library Association 93 (4), 480-486.
And at the point of other work too…
Librarians are using PDAs to help with cataloging,
indexing, inventory control. The entire
OPAC can be at your fingertips while you are in the stacks!
For
example see:
Embrey, Theresa A. Ross (2002). Today’s PDAs can put an
OPAC in the palm of your hand. Computers in Libraries 22 (3), 14-22.
Other important features
Ability to synchronize data to a PC
Ability to beam data via infrared to other PDAs and
printers
Handwriting recognition
Tons of clinical information software available:
Providing this
kind of crucial, quality information is a library’s business!
Why should Libraries care about PDA use?
Numerous libraries are lending out (Cuddy, 2005, 99) PDAs
and providing technical support for users in response to user needs, as
well as finding innovative intra-library uses for PDAs.
View these outstanding
library resources for PDA users:
Duke University Medical Center
Library
Claude
Moore Health Sciences Library-UVa-HSL : PDA Resources
University of Alberta Libraries
PDA ZONE
Also read:
Rios, G.R. (2004).
PDA librarian. Reference
Services Review 32 (10), 16-20.
PDAs
are bringing crucial information to users when and where they need it!
“It is important for librarians not to be fixated on the medium but
on the end result, which is to access quality information” (Rios, 2004, 20).
Advantages for the library using PDAs
Keeping
up with the changing times
Meeting user needs
(Cuddy 2005, 100)
---Meets their needs on the go
---May draw people into the library too
Providing quality
information at the point of need
Innovative uses within
the library
Getting more for your
money with reference sources---PDA version may be thrown in as a bonus
Freeware/Shareware---some free resources
Increases intra-organizational collaboration
(e.g. Librarian and CIO and IT Dept.) (Rios 2004, 19-20)
Makes library staff who know this technology
more valuable to library community
Helps to market your skills and library
services to the institution (Cuddy 2005, 100)
Disadvantages
May be difficult to
catalog resources (Cuddy, 2005, 65)
Interoperability issues
Hardware/software/Infrared compatibility issues
Lack of institutional standards
May complicate
reference software licensing agreements
Users want evaluative recommendations
Additional training needed for staff
and users
Staff complain about having to learn new technology
Expensive
Easy to lose device
Storage concerns
Fragile
Privacy/security concerns
Evaluative sources
PDAs and GPS:
Handheld PDA reviews & comparisons including gps & wireless - CNET
Storage and other concerns
Store PDAs in sturdy carrying case
Encourage and be involved in development of institution-wide
PDA privacy policies---work with CIO –make yourself known and valuable!
Have password-protected entrance into PDAs
Last revised: 04/17/06