Beacon is a smart device that broadcasts a Bluetooth-smart radio signal to trigger events or messages on phones. So, if you have the app on your phone, as you come near a beacon (in stores, conferences, etc.), a quick message (uh, advertisement) will appear on your screen. If you do nothing with it, it will just disappear (just like any other notifications). A beacon looks like a hockey puck that can be stuck to a wall or ceiling or whatever. Beacons can be considered a virtual tap on the shoulder.
Each beacon can transmit its own message that is easily programmed by a staff person. Orange County Library in Florida has just started using the. When you put a beacon somewhere it has the ability to transmit the message you program up to 200ft away. You can set range up to 200 feet but OCPL set 15-40 feet.
What patrons need to take advantage of beacon technology:
- need smartphone
- do not need Internet (running on Bluetooth)
- must have Bluetooth and location services on.
There are a couple of beacon companies working with libraries. BluuBeam is serving only libraries, cultural institutions, and zoos and Capira is working with libraries on apps but collect a bit more information
Who's using beacons:
- retail (pushes coupons to you, sales, etc)
- museums (can get info about artwork)
- airports (flight info, etc).
How OC Library is using it:
- hiding them so they don't get stolen
- stickers promoting beacon points all around library (so customers know where beacons are and they can go near them)
- if customer is in cookbook area and there is a beacon, they will get pushed info about an upcoming program, they can click on info, sign up for program, etc.
- if someone in CD collection, they can get info about new CDs, Freegal, etc.
- gave a free OC bag if patron downloaded the app.
- have one by the front door that welcomes people (could have it as an exit message)
- coupon to Friends of the Library (people seem to want coupons)
How do we use these?
- seems very easy to use. Web based form that you use to add information, photos, links to video. You can copy and paste data from something else to form
- can program messages ahead of time.
- can run reports to see how beacon message usage, when beacons are being used, how popular, etc.
- beacons can be shared by patrons to their Facebook page or other social media
- beacons will only push to you if you have been there five mins. It won't push something to someone just walking through
Stats at OC Library from beacon use.
- increase by 22% of storytimes and 10% for adult programs since iBeacons were installed.
Lessons Learned
- need incentive to download since not many know what this is
- not all patrons have modern smartphones
- need to be timely
What's Next
- working on a scavenger hunt to promote lesser know areas and services
- starting to do cross promotion with local museums. (if museum has a dinosaur exhibit, they will push a message about the library books / programs and will push a message about museum in the dinosaur book section)
Cost
- 5 beacons $750 a year, including batteries, signs, collateral materials
- access to program your messages - $275 annually
Someone had an interesting idea to put a beacon on a person so messages get pushed when you are in proximity to that person. Could be interesting.
Overall is was a really interesting program. Several months go the City met with several IT people who were interested in offering this type of service to the community. Seeing it in action in the community will bring it to life.
Interesting. Wondering if they discussed using a beacon with a library app to notify patrons about items due that day or ready for pickup? That would be very cool!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting - Adam and I submitted an application for the upcoming round of SIF grants to purchase several of these for each location.
ReplyDeleteDon
An interesting technology, hopefully not *just* the next QR code.
ReplyDelete