Enriching library user’s experience with Evernote

Date03 September 2018
Published date03 September 2018
Pages11-12
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-06-2018-0035
AuthorDinesh K. Siddaiah
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Library & information services
Enriching library user’s experience with Evernote
Dinesh K. Siddaiah
Introduction
Academic library landscape and
services dimensions are changing
rapidly. Libraries are playing a vital
role in support of the academic
system. It is often difficult to keep
track of various tasks, resources
available to them and availability of
online tools. Open-source social
networking tools are very useful and
canbeusedtoincreasethelibrary
users’ experiences.
The selection of such tools based
on library and user needs can be a big
challenge. Tools such as Evernote are
compatible with Windows, Android
and iOS devices. They can be used for
individual as well as collaborative
work integrated with social networking
utilities. Some of the tools come with
cloud applications.
Applications of evernote
Evernote has proved to be one of
the best applications for academic
libraries. It is a multi-platform note-
taking application on the Web
compatible with Windows 7, 8 and
10; Mac OSX; Android; and Apple
iOS and includes a word processor.
Evernote captures and organizes Web
pages, recordings, scanned documents,
photographs, MS office files and
e-mails. Evernote uses OCR to enable
searching of text within documents/
pictures. Evernote can even search the
handwritten words buried deep within
notes.
Evernote also has features to jot
down ideas electronically, e.g. taking
notes in conferences and research
consultations in libraries. It has a
powerful Web clipper to better
organize pictures and screenshots. It
canbeusedinofceandpersonal
works, especially for archiving bills
and receipts. The Skitch facility in this
tool allows one to annotate photos and
other images. Reminders can also be
set within the tool. Users need not
worry about accessibility, as Evernote
is accessible from all types of devices.
Evernote has the unique feature that it
can be used as a closed social
networking tool, such as limited to use
by a class or within a library. Whether
it is text, images or documents,
Evernote makes sure the notes you
have saved are easy to search and
share with others seamlessly in a
group notebook. The sources in the
Evernote can be organized in three
levels, i.e. notes, notebooks and
stacks.
Case studies
Smith (2018) in one of the articles
on “Amazing Evernote Statistics”
gave data that the USA and Canada
have 27 million users for Evernote,
whereas Europe, Middle East and
Africa have 31 million; Latin America
has 8 million; and China has 1 million.
Melinda and Lawrence (2016) in
“Advancing student productivity: an
introduction to Evernote”, published
in Information Systems Education
Journal, wrote in detail about the
advancing student productivity by the
faculty of CIS & MIS, University of
Montana and Middle Tennessee State
University. They have created a lab
exercise to set-up Evernote, Clipper
and Skitch and also created a notebook
for a research project, such as creating
a to-do list; text reminders; using the
digital form of a whiteboard; and
using images with annotations, voice
notes and references.
In the book Evernote: 77 Steps to
Help You Master Evernote and
Organize Your Life Better – Evernote,
Evernote Essentials, Evernote for
Beginners,Hall (2015) highlights how
life and business can be well-
organized using Evernote. It provides
a step-by-step guide from basic to
advanced levels. Kani (2017),in
“Evernote in the research consultation:
a feasibility study”, published in
Reference Services Review,presents
the case study of Mississippi State
University that examines the feasibility
of using the Evernote note-taking
application in research consultations.
Evernote creates more interactive
services in research consultations owing
to its note-taking capabilities. Evernote
can also be used to develop strong
informationliteracy skills.
Evernote for libraries
A major capability for Evernote
that is critical for libraries is keeping
track of tasks and project timelines,
documents and management. The
organization capabilities at all the
levels can increase work productivity.
Many prominent libraries across the
world are using and promoting
Evernote for their users. Those
libraries include MIT, University of
Montana, Mississippi State University,
Florida Libraries, etc. These libraries
provide regular workshops on the
promotion and use of Evernote. There
are several benefits of Evernote for
libraries such as content management,
support projects and other pursuits that
increase the institution’s visibility and
perception. And as already noted,
Evernote is one of the best options for
enhancing user academic and research
experience. It can also be an important
tool for training and updating library
student workers.
REFERENCES
Hall, K. (2015), Evernote: 77 Steps to Help
You Master Evernote and OrganizeYour Life
Better (Evernote, Evernote Essentials,
Evernote for Beginners), CreateSpace
Independent PublishingPlatform.
LIBRARY HITECH NEWS Number 7 2018, pp. 11-12, V
CEmerald Publishing Limited, 0741-9058, DOI 10.1108/LHTN-06-2018-0035 11

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