Wearable computing has received growing attention in the media, market and scientific research in the past decades. There are new devices available each day and they provide a lot of new opportunities for applications. Available in many different form factors, wearable devices aid to support not only gaming, fitness and fashion, but also safety critical and medical emergencies.

Glasses help to quickly access information, document life events through photos and videos, receive notifications and alerts, etc. Intelligent armbands aid to keep track of activities, including: eating and sleeping habits, and physical exercises.

Although wearable devices provide a lot of new opportunities, they are not (yet) widespread. Users may be concerned about privacy issues, or do not see clear benefits of these devices, perhaps their costs are still too high.

Better understanding what users (or potential users) think about wearable computing, can help to improve the design of these devices, and consequently to meet users’ expectations.

In a time of information saturation, students and faculty have no trouble finding information…but it is the RIGHT/BEST information? How do they go about getting help from their friendly librarians? Do they know that librarians are out there?

I propose a session to talk about ways that librarians can help create just in time research help for students and faculty. I’ll talk about the things that we’re trying out here at the Clemson Libraries…everything from online classes to tutorials to video tours to live chat…and I’d love to hear what other folks are up to in the provision of just in time help.