Mobile Technology and Libraries

 By Melissa Davis

Mobile technology is becoming peoples go-to method of looking up information. With so much available on a smart phone or tablet, it's not hard to guess why. In a survey conducted by Utah State University, 25,000 student were surveyed specifically targeting mobile access. 54% of graduates and undergraduates said that they used mobile devices for academic purposes. Included in the survey was how often they used library electronic devises. Majority of the students stated they used E-books, the library catalog system and e-journals/articles within the library. 

Not deterred by this survey, USU, among other colleges, have embraced this new technology era by providing resources within the library for public access. Creating media centers within the space has created a new way for patrons to better utilize their public or academic library. Creating mobile websites is another way to better assist patrons. Websites provide important information and resources that patrons can access at home or on-the-go. Listing what mobile resources are available is a great way to draw in patrons and make your website more functional. 

To learn about mobile technology in libraries, see the following video:

(While this video is 12 years old, you can still see the resemblance of how mobile technology plays a role in our libraries today)

Works Cited:

Dresselhaus, Angela, and Flora Shrode. "Mobile Technologies & Academics: Do Students Use Mobile Technologies in Their Academic Lives and are Librarians Ready to Meet this Challenge?" Information Technology and Libraries (Online), vol. 31, no. 2, 2012, pp. 82-101. ProQuest, https://login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/mobile-technologies-amp-academics-do-students-use/docview/1022030098/se-2.