Mobile Devices and Libraries Running Head: Future of Mobile Devices and Libraries

The Future of Mobile Devices and Libraries: The Possibilities and Implications Alison F. Wilkins Emporia State University

Mobile Devices and Libraries Abstract The increased use of mobile devices in todays modern world is greatly influencing the services that libraries offer their patrons. This technology allows libraries to quickly and efficiently give patrons any information they need. Once the documents or files have been downloaded to the patrons mobile device, they can be accessed anywhere on the globe regardless of the availability

of the internet. This paper will discuss the rise of this technology, the way that libraries are already using it, and further implications. The sources used in the creation of this article are journals retrieved from library databases and Google Scholar. They have all been written in the last two years, and provide timely information. This article shows that through the use of mobile devices, libraries will be able to better provide their patrons with quick, convenient, and timely assistance for many different requests and needs the patrons might have.

Mobile Devices and Libraries The Future of Mobile Devices and Libraries: The Possibilities and Implications Mobile devices are the next big thing in personal computing. In the past couple years, we have seen an increase in the use of devices that can perform many functions and can be brought anywhere. Doe (2009) points out that mobile devices range from anything such as PDAs, smartphones, or MP3 players to tablets or portable gaming devices. One of the leaders in the increase in mobile device use is Apples iPhone. According to Coombs (2008) the iPhone and iPod Touch are the two most significant leads in improvements of mobile devices.

Everyday, more and more people are becoming owners and users of mobile devices. These convenient tools have become a part of everyday life for a vast number of people. Because of this, businesses, centers of education, and public services (such as libraries) are seeing a need to use and provide applications for these devices in order to please, attract, or interest their employees, students, or patrons. Libraries, specifically, have been given a great opportunity to advance their services through the use and application of these mobile devices. Current Uses Mobile devices are already incredibly common. As a result, libraries across the world have already begun adapting to this emerging technology. The most obvious way that libraries can offer services that are compatible with mobile devices is by offering patrons Ebooks to checkout. There are already many applications available for mobile devices that allow a user to read whole novels on the screen of their phone, MP3 player, or PDA. Brynko (2009) points out that Safari Bookbag is a very popular application for iPhone and iTouch users; it allows them to browse a large selection of books for download onto their mobile device. Once the novel is downloaded, it can be read with or without internet access. This is a significant improvement over earlier versions of

Mobile Devices and Libraries Ebooks available for mobile devices. As Balas (2007) states, BooksoniPhone and Readdletwo common early Ebook providersboth required the user to have an internet connection to not read the book they had downloaded to their device. Todays Ebook reader can read a book on their mobile device anywhere once its downloaded. Kroski (2008) lists many libraries that are already offering not only Ebooks to patrons, but also audiobooks, video, and music files that patrons can download to their mobile devices. Kroski (2008) mentions that the Thomas Ford Memorial Library and the St. Joseph County Public Library both offer a wide range of audiobooks predownloaded onto iPod Nanos that patrons can checkout. Another way that libraries are already adapting to the increased use of mobile devices,

according to Kroski (2008) is they are creating versions of their website that are friendly to mobile devices. These websites are formatted for smaller screens, contain largely text, and offer links to other websites with helpful tools for mobile devices. These adaptations are allowing libraries to satisfy a growing number of patrons who use mobile devices as their primary means of accessing information on the internet. Mobile devices are allowing libraries many opportunities to quickly and efficiently update patrons on library events and programs. Kroski (2008) points out that many libraries have begun using text messaging to notify patrons of library news. This allows libraries to give quick and up to the minute updates to patrons who carry mobile devices. Many libraries use texting to inform patrons of due dates for library materials, give overdue notices, inform patrons of fines, and give updates regarding library programs. Milstein (2009) mentions Twitter, another way that libraries can give quick updates to patrons mobile devices. By using Twitter, libraries can provide quick and easy updates to patrons who also use Twitter. These updates appear via SMS on mobile phones or as web updates on mobile devices that have internet access.

Mobile Devices and Libraries Further Possibilities Mobile devices offer libraries and patrons many opportunities to give and receive information in quick, easy, and efficient ways from all corners of the globe. Lippincott (2008) states that libraries could offer dictionaries and other reference materials in formats that would be compatible to mobile devices. If a library were to offer reference materials for mobile devices, a library patron on vacation in Italy could look up an Italian dictionary or tour book on their mobile device from their local librarys mobile collection halfway across the globe. Mobile devices could change the way libraries do interlibrary loans. Lippincott (2008)

states that the University of Nebraska-Omaha is already offering Kindles, mobile devices that hold many books and documents that can be read anywhere, to students for checkout, and that this library is looking into using Kindle for interlibrary loans. I believe that Kindle is just the beginning of possibilities for the future of interlibrary loans and mobile devices. If a database of downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, video, and music files were created, libraries could gain access to other librarys collections with the click of a mouse. Patrons would only have to wait a few seconds for their interlibrary loan request to be downloaded to their mobile device rather than the couple days it takes to mail a book. Conclusion In the future, the increased use of mobile devices in libraries will allow libraries to offer more convenient and timely assistance to its patrons. The library will become more than just a brick and mortar establishment; it will become a center of communication and shared resources which can all be accessed, viewed, and used anywhere in the world at any time of the day.

References

Mobile Devices and Libraries Balas, Janet L. (2007). Of iPhones and Ebooks: Will They Get Together? Computers in Libraries, 27(10), 35-38. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from Emporia State University, William Allen White Library, Library Literature and Information Science database. Brynko, Barbara. (2009). Safari Bookbag: A Digital Library for iPhones and iPods. Information Today, 26(1), 39. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from Emporia State University, William Allen White Library, Library Literature and Information Science database. Coombs, Karen. (2008). The Mobile iRevolution. Library Journal, Fall 2008, 28. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from Emporia State University, William Allen White Library, Library Literature and Information Science database. Doe, Charles. (2009). Mobile Devices. MultiMedia & Internet@Schools, 16(2), 30-33. Retrieved June 17, 2009, from Emporia State University, William Allen White Library, Professional Development Collection database. Kroski, Ellyssa. (2008). Library Mobile Initiatives. On the Move with the Mobile Web: Libraries and Mobile Technologies (pp. 41-47). Retrieved June 17, 2009, from http://eprints.rclis.org/15024/1/mobile_web_ltr.pdf Lippincott, Joan K. (2008). Mobile Technologies, Mobile Users: Implications for Academic Libraries. ARL, 261, 1-4. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from Emporia State University, William Allen White Library, Library Literature and Information Science database. Milstein, Sarah. (2009). Twitter for Libraries (and Librarians). Online (Weston, Conn.), 33(2), 34-35. Retrieved June 16, 2009, from Emporia State University, William Allen White Library, Library Literature and Information Science database.