Abstract
There is a common saying that “books are the windows to the world.” Despite the fact that in this digital age the leading role is taken by the internet, books still play their part as openings to the vast knowledge. It is no longer news that changes have been brought to the book world due to the development in modern technology. As we have printed contents, so also are digital version of books or e-books which can be read on any digital devices with e-book reader applications installed. This development enables people to have a library in their pockets. This chapter examines the experience of Nigeria and the utilization of mobile devices, libraries, e-book readers, and mobile devices for reading. This chapter will also discuss the future potential of mobile applications in libraries and opportunities associated with e-book readers and mobile devices. This chapter also identifies the challenges associated with the use of e-book readers and mobile devices and the way forward towards promoting the use of e-book readers and mobile devices for reading in Nigeria.
TopMobile Devices And Libraries
Mobile devices are portable, wireless computing device that is small enough to be used while held in the hand. The mobile devices are reshaping the information users’ everyday lives in diverse ways, especially by delivering content in versatile forms. A mobile device or application (app) is computer software designed specifically for handheld mobile devices such as a smartphone or a tablet (Counte, 2018). Most apps allow users to access similar content, functions and services available on personal computers (PCs). Mobile apps must typically be bought and downloaded online, but there are many available at no-cost.
Mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets, e-book readers, handheld gaming tools and portable music players are practically omnipresent in today’s society. According to Walsh (2012), mobile data traffic in 2011 was eight times the size of the global internet in 2000 and, according to forecasts; mobile devices will soon outnumber human beings. Studies have revealed that use of mobile devices is widespread and continues to increase. As of 2013, 56% of Americans owned a smart phone (Raine & Smith 2013). This number is even higher among people ages 18 to 29. However, Peters and Robert (2011) points out those mobile Phones at least can be found among people of all ages, nationalities and socioeconomic classes. This made (Peters, 2011) to emphasize that truly are in the midst of a global mobile revolution.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Smartphones: These refer to mobile phones that perform many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, Internet access, and an operating system capable of running downloaded apps. Smartphones are a class of mobile phones and of multi-purpose mobile computing devices. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems.
E-books: This refers to as an electronic version of a printed book which can be read on a computer or a specifically designed handheld device. An electronic book, also known as an e-book or eBook, is a book publication made available in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, readable on the flat-panel display of computers or other electronic devices.
E-Readers: This refers to as a handheld device on which electronic versions of books, newspapers, magazines, etc. can be read. An e-reader, also called an e-book reader or e-book device, is a mobile electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital e-books and periodicals.
E-Reading: This refers to a process when you read your books in a digital format instead of the older style printed format. It is all about reading books and newspapers on a portable device such as an e-book reader, tablet or smartphone. The term generally does not refer to reading the material on a desktop computer.
Mobile Devices: These are referring to as portable computing devices such as a smartphone or tablet computer. A mobile device is a computing device small enough to hold and operate in the hand. Typically, any handheld computer device will have an LCD or OLED flat screen interface, providing a touchscreen interface with digital buttons and keyboard or physical buttons along with a physical keyboard.