Academic Libraries' Mobile Initiatives and Research from 2010 to the Present: Identifying Themes in the Literature

Mobile Devices in Academic Libraries

Statistics illustrate the global popularity of mobile devices. Business Insider noted one in every 17 individuals worldwide owned a tablet and research suggested their adoption rate was exceeding smartphones (Heggestuen, 2013). Mobile devices or web enabled smartphones are ubiquitous on college campuses. The technology is increasing in importance in academia, especially in libraries. According to Mohamed (2014) the popularity of mobile phones heightened users’ expectations on the availability of accessing library services through these devices. Research on students’ information use supports the development of mobile library services. Sam Houston University’s librarians surveyed students in 2010 and 2014 on their desire for mobile library services. The authors found students especially interested in accessing library services from mobile devices during the period (Cassidy, et al., 2014).

Smartphones and other mobile devices offer librarians new opportunities in the delivery of services for users including instruction, systems, reference, and access to resources (Little, 2011). Similarly, Lippincott (2010) suggested the mobile revolution offered instructional opportunities for librarians in teaching students about accessing information in the field, utilizing software for organizing their information on devices and developing mashups using various information sources. Bell and Peters (2013) pointed to the need for librarians to evaluate library services and especially to develop new ones to support mobile patrons. Likewise, Mohamed (2014) noted academic librarians are developing services to support mobile users. Consequently, the authors identify themes in the literature on mobile initiatives in academic libraries to foster librarians’ adoption of similar services and resources in their institutions.