Internet of Things for Libraries

What Is The Internet of
Things and
How Can We Use It?
Nicole C. Engard
nengard@gmail.com

Do you have any of these
devices at home?

Internet of Things
Connect to analog things around us in a digital way
This includes everything from cell phones, coﬀee
makers, washing machines, headphones, lamps, wearable
devices and almost anything else you can think of.
Anything that can be connected, will be connected.

Smart Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AyXNeRbpRk

Connected Devices
https://vimeo.com/86287024

Automation
Because these devices are all connected to the
Internet tools like IFTTT (If This Then That) can
be used to make them talk to each other - or to
automate speciﬁc actions
https://ifttt.com/channels

Do you have any of these
devices in your library?

IoT in our Libraries
While simple tools such as smart thermostats and light
bulbs can be easily installed to save energy; right now
most libraries don’t have the resources to make their
libraries 100% smart
The possibilities are endless though …

RFID
Libraries are already using RFID for self checkout - but
this technology can be used for so much more
RFID can we used in conjunction with applications to
make loanable materials Internet enabled “things”
An RFID tag allows the the object to wirelessly
communicate certain types of information - allowing
libraries to provide information about the material to
those with the proper handheld device/application

Popular Aisles
Pressure pads under
the ﬂoor could give
the library a count of
people browsing aisles
in the library, helping
with collection
development and
possible areas where
improved signage
might be required

“Grab” and Go
Using motion sensors patrons can ﬁnd something on a
public terminal, “grab” it and put it on their phone
Replacing the scraps of paper and tiny pencils for
ﬁnding items in the library
Kinect : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/
kinectforwindows/

Motion Sensors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYveEdhTgBs

See Also Suggestions
“Magic” mirrors could be added throughout the library
that will be able to sense what title the patron is holding
and …
recommend other like materials
mention related events in the library and around town
give a sneak peak in to the book (reviews, images, etc)

Library Wearable
Patrons could wear their “library
card” to the library
The wrist band could hold all
pertinent information about the
patron
Scanning the band at self service
stations could give the patron access
to computers, their reading history,
reading suggestions and more
http://bit.ly/dismagicband

Beacons
iBeacon (ibeacon.com) can be used to locate patrons in the
library and oﬀer suggestions for resources around them
see: http://www.fastcompany.com/3040451/elasticity/the-
internet-of-things-plan-to-make-libraries-and-museums-
awesomer
Library conferences can use beacon technology to give
attendees a more comprehensive experience
see: http://www.sxsw.com/news/2015/introducing-
ibeacon-technology-sxsw-2015

Staying Fit
Start a fit club at the library
for those with Fitbits (or
other fit devices) - have a
competition or start up an
event to do book walks/
tours
Use IFTTT to post Fitbit
(or other fit device) status
to a club page or as a
tweet with a club hashtag

Accessibility
Bring Talking (and Braille) Books to your patrons via their
iOS device with BARD
“The BARD Mobile app provides access to braille and
talking books directly from the NLS Braille and Audio
Reading Download (BARD). BARD contains nearly
50,000 books, magazines, and music scores in audio and
braille formats, with new selections added daily.”
itunes.apple.com/us/app/bard-mobile/id705229586?mt=8

Device Availability
“[A] library with a 3D printer can set the device up to
transmit to library servers when it is in use. The library
can post this information as a feed to their website so
that patrons interested in using the device can see when
it is available. The data can even be recorded and
analyzed to determine peak hours of use. Peak peak
times can also to be displayed on the library website.”
libserra.com/the-internet-of-things-in-the-library/

Create an “Easy” Button
Bt.tn is an ‘easy’ button for anything!
Custom-branded cap with your logo and color
Stand-alone solution, connectivity via built-in Mobile
Data or Wi-Fi
Integration to your systems via REST API
http://bt.tn/

“Easy” Button
https://youtu.be/XPCibS87jW0

Internet of Things Search
Thingful® is a search engine for the Internet of Things,
providing a unique geographical index of connected objects
around the world, including energy, radiation, weather, and
air quality devices as well as seismographs, iBeacons, ships,
aircraft and even animal trackers. Thingful’s powerful
search capabilities enable people to ﬁnd devices, datasets
and realtime data sources by geolocation across many
popular Internet of Things networks
https://thingful.net/

Your Imagination is the Limit
Internet of Things is about more than “things” it’s about
design and bringing the digital into the analog world
Linked and Open Data are going to be key in our
libraries
Think outside the box and ﬁction can become reality …
“Any suﬃciently advanced technology is indistinguishable from
magic” – Arthur C. Clarke.

Ruby Slippers
https://vimeo.com/109285103

References
Bibliography: https://www.zotero.org/
nengard/items/collectionKey/I52I6EQZ
Tools: https://www.zotero.org/nengard/items/
collectionKey/BZE43DIT
Bookmarks: https://delicious.com/nengard/
internetofthings

Product Image Links
Magic Mirror: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B97k394jetk
Amazon Dash: https://www.amazon.com/oc/dash-button
Automatic: https://www.automatic.com/
Smart Umbrella: http://mashable.com/2015/03/19/bluetooth-
umbrella-davek/
Huggies Nappy Notiﬁer: https://vimeo.com/98505927
Intelligent Library Bookmark: http://www.toout.com/en/
project_co_show.asp?id=139

Product Image Links
WeMo: http://www.belkin.com/us/Products/home-automation/c/
wemo-home-automation/
Hue Lightbulb: http://www2.meethue.com/en-us/
Nest Thermostat: https://nest.com/
Smart Locks: http://www.august.com/
Fitbit: https://www.ﬁtbit.com/
Smart Weather Station: https://www.netatmo.com/en-US/product

Thank You
Nicole C. Engard
nengard@gmail.com
Slides: http://web2learning.net

Internet of Things for Libraries

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