With the rapid adoption of the smartphone and the tablet, we are quickly entering an era in which the smartphone is the most common device used to access the Web. This report reviews the recent tremendous mobile growth and changing mobile consumer behavior as well as growing user expectations for mobile. This report also examines how the first generation of mobile library websites has changed over the last few years and explores future directions. Patrons now expect more mobile-friendly information resources, research support, and sophisticated features such as menu customization and room reservation on mobile. This report also discusses responsive web design and some of its pitfalls and argues for the better discoverability of libraries’ mobile (web or native) apps.

It is no secret that libraries have struggled with annual increases in subscription costs of print-based journals, joined now by increases in license fees and other associated costs for electronic resources. Unfortunately, traditional sources of funding fail to keep pace in support of these escalating expenses. We became intrigued with the idea of dramatizing for our users the similarities between the costs of needed resources, and a variety of real-world goods. We assembled an exhibit in a variety of media, to demonstrate these comparisons. Scanned copies of journal covers lay side-by-side with ads for such desirables as world cruises, luxurious sport cars, and refrigerator/freezers. This offered an interesting perspective on the nature of many "must-have" titles, as they are likened to big-ticket items that many of us can never afford. Individual cost factoids decorated study tables and restroom stalls, reminding the public about discrepancies between rising costs and dwindling available funds, and dispelling the misconception that "tuition covers it." Selected examples graced the screen of our web page. A common theme throughout was the fact that when we buy these expensive items, we do so every year, at progressively higher costs each time. This poster affords a glimpse of our presentation, and a look at some of the interesting comparisons.

Objectives: This poster describes the implementation of a discovery tool at the University of Maryland Health Sciences and Human Services Library (HS/HSL).

Needs for managing electronic resources subscriptions and possible solutions are identified. Home-grown databases and spreadsheets, Stand-alone ERMS and SwetsWise eResource Manager are presented with their assets and drawbacks. The authors conclude that SwetWise eSource Manager is a promising product for an institution of the size of HS/HSL.

Librarians contribute to University wide activities such as the Work/Life Strategies Committee and the Institutional Review Board.