Mobile information services in libraries: a review of current trends in delivering information

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to review the literature on mobile information services. It considers only peer-reviewed papers published in English between 2004 and 2014. Design/methodology/approach – The method of systematic review was adopted to collect and analyse the relevant literature. The searches were conducted during the last week of July 2014 on different databases, and in total, 76 papers were considered after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings – Seven themes emerged: “introducing mobile libraries”, “reporting on current trends”, “exploring users’ perceptions of libraries’ mobile services”, “presenting libraries’ mobile services”, “presenting mobile technology use in libraries”, “reporting case studies” and “reporting on evaluation of libraries’ mobile services”. It is evident that research on mobile libraries is very recent and focuses mainly on raising the Library and Information Science profession’s awareness of providing mobile information services. Research limitations – This literature review focused only on peer-reviewed papers published between 2004 and 2014 in English. Originality/value – This paper summarises and critically presents the relevant literature on libraries offering mobile information services. It informs libraries and librarians’ understanding of recent developments in mobile technology for the successful provision of information services.

Choice of Library and Information Science in a rapidly changing information landscape

“…This could be attributed largely to the shift of emphasis from a humanistic to a more technological approach, and from the traditional paradigm of "library services" to the information paradigm mostly adopted by LIS education. Moreover, the swift from the technologically savvy individuals, to experts in the use of mobile technology (Baggett and Williams, 2012;Vassilakaki, 2014) and social networking sites (Vassilakaki andGaroufallou, 2014a, b, 2015) which are particularly popular among young people (Dickson and Holley, 2010). The highly cited factor "enjoyment of research" could be explained as the gradual transformation of LIS field from a profession linked with practical applications, to an uniform area of information science and to an academization of the LIS education and of the role of information professionals in the research process (Audunson, 2002;Moniarou-Papaconstantinou and Tsatsaroni, 2008;Vassilakaki and Moniarou-Papaconstantinou, 2015;Wilson et al, 2010).…”

Perspectivas e desa os dos dispositivos mo´veis para as bibliotecas universita´rias brasileiras

“…Mas o que significa ser móvel? O estudo ou "conceito de bibliotecas móveis emergiu recentemente após a disseminação generalizada" (p. 180) de DM afirma Vassilakaki (2014). Segundo a autora, antes do fenômeno móvel, o termo era utilizado para designar bibliotecas físicas em movimento, para levar "livros e serviços básicos de informação para áreas rurais", contudo, atualmente a "biblioteca móvel" é "novo campo de pesquisa" e se refere aos "serviços de informação oferecidos aos usuários" para acesso em DM.…”

Research Plus™ mobile app: information literacy “On the Go”

“…As student adoption of mobile technology becomes widespread, academic and public libraries have hastened their plans for a mobile Internet presence (Vassilakaki, 2014). The terms "mobile library" or "m-library" were coined to denote information services (i.e., "text a librarian") and digital resources (i.e., online articles) accessed using mobile technology including smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices such as smartwatches.…”