Use of Mobile Application Technology in Library Services: A study

Dr. Pratibha1
Librarian
Govt, First Grade College, Madanhipparga,
Tq. Aland Kalaburagi Karnataka-India
[email protected]
Dr.Md.Aamer2
Librarian,
Guru Nanak First Grade College,
Bidar, Karnataka-India
[email protected]

Abstract:
The study has been undertaken to know about the mobile application technology used in
library services. Mobile application technology can be used for several purposes to
perform various Library service through mobile technology. The present modern trend
of library service. Mobile application technology and its development have generated
excitement among faculty and student fraternity. It has changed academic environment
from traditional setting to modern era learning. Libraries have always adopted new
technologies to assist in their objective of providing clients with effective and efficient
services, as well as timely access to needed information. Implementation of Information
and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has changed the way people access and
communicate information. Users want easy and instant access to relevant information,
putting pressure on Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals to think out of
the box for meeting their information needs.

Keywords: Mobile Application, Mobile Technology, Library Services.

Introduction:

In this modern era libraries have always adopted new technologies to assist in their
objective of providing clients with effective and efficient services, as well as timely
access to needed information. Implementation of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) has changed the way people access and communicate information.
Users want easy and instant access to relevant information, putting pressure on Library
and Information Science (LIS) professionals to think out of the box for meeting their
information needs.
 Libraries have always adopted new technologies to assist in their objective of
providing clients with effective and efficient services, as well as timely access to needed
information. Implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
has changed the way people access and communicate information. Users want easy and
instant access to relevant information, putting pressure on Library and Information
Science (LIS) professionals to think out of the box for meeting their information needs.

Libraries have always adopted new technologies to assist in their objective of

providing clients with effective and efficient services, as well as timely access to needed
information. Implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
has changed the way people access and communicate information. Users want easy and
instant access to relevant information, putting pressure on Library and Information
Science (LIS) professionals to think out of the box for meeting their information needs.

Purpose of the Study:

This study explores the prospect of providing library services with mobile phones
applications technology.

 To encourage librarians and library users in the use of library operations.

 To find out the benefits derived from the use of Mobile technologies.
 To identify the services that could be delivered through mobile phones
 To disclose the obstacles that libraries may face in providing information and
services

Literature Review:

This paper focused on the review of literatures related to the study. As it is revealed by
search of literature, much work has not been done in the area of library services through
mobile technology. To review, therefore, we focus on the following areas;
 Application of Mobile technology
 Adoption of mobile services
 Mobile library website features
 Library & mobile based services
 Prerequisites for implementing library based services

Mobile Technology:

In this present era mobile technology is exactly what the name indicates –
technology that is portable; it refers to any device that you can carry with you to perform a
wide variety of “tasks”. It is technology that allows those tasks to be performed via
cellular phone, PDA, vehicles, laptops, etc. A standard mobile device has gone from being
no more than a simple two-way pager to being a cellular phone, a GPS navigation system,
a web browser, and instant messenger system, a video gaming system, and much more.

Online services to Library Users:

Information Alert service: The library can provide the alert on latest news to users and
notices via SMS and MMS to users wherever required. The users can get notified
instantly with notice alert such as alert on bringing new book to the notice of users .

E-Resources with mobile interfaces: E-Resources through mobile interfaces offers

access to a variety of databases and digital resources such as e-book, e-journal, web
databases, dissertations and audio books, streaming music, films, image and article
databases which can be used on mobile. These collections can either be downloaded
from the library website on users own mobile devices of libraries that lend mobile
devices with the collection already available with them. A large number collection of
audio books both free and subscription based services are available for download and
also transferable with no mobile device. Libraries can make use of multimedia
messaging services (MMS) on mobile devices to share photos, videos and audio. Most
of the low book publishers provide 24x7 accesses to the library subscription from any

internet terminal within the campus as well on mobile devices such as I-pad, Android
devices and kindle.
Ask the Librarian Services:

In every library librarian receives a high volume of enquires which requires brief report,
such as dictionary definitions, facts or service information. Then a librarian or staff
deputed can provide instant answers and links to articles/ references in real time.

The users can tell any query with librarian or staff. Such services can be provided
through SMS, email or text which is easily accessible through mobile.
Library Guide:

Libraries can give users the best of Library guide information such as library user
guide, question answering services, library-statistics, rich content in a way that works
best for the users.
Online Documents Delivery Services:

The mobile application and technology at present, opportunities for sending document
requests and scanned images and monitoring the use of collections as well as the
automation of administrative operations, hence it can support electronic Fund transfers
supply chain management, e-marketing online marketing and online transaction
processing, electronic data interchange and automated inventory management system.

Application of Mobile Technology in Library:

Swipe :

Swipe is a wonderful web tool for creating interactive presentation. Some of the features
it provides to its user are drag and drop to upload, add web content, share a link and
present live to any audience globally

Chegg flashcards:

This mobile application allows you to create Flash Cards easily for any subject using
four mobile devices. You can even add picture to your Flashcards. This app also
provides access to pre mode sets of card from the app quizlet. It attends you to track
your progress as you quiz yourself.

Notability :
Notability is a powerful mobile application note-taker on i-pod and iphone to sketch
idea, annotate document, sign contract, complete worksheet, keep a journal and record a
lecture. These notes can be accessed anywhere with cloud support.

Evernote:

Evernote provides an easy way to document information in the class room and creates a
project to do list. A note can be anything you want it to be. And once you make a note,
it’s accessible wherever you go, forever it captures a note once and it’s instantly
available on all your devices. Never worry about where you saved something because
it's in Evernote and Evernote is wherever you are, share what matters with the people
who matter to you. It captures life’s little moments and Share them from wherever you
happen to be, or share big ideas by collaborating seamlessly with coworkers in a group
notebook.
Whatsapp:

Globally Whatsapp is the most popular Smartphone messenger app which enables you
to send messages to the person connected. But for these, both have to need smart phones
with internet connection. Whatsapp provides personalized service which helps the
library professionals to interact with users who cannot use library physically.

Instant Messaging services

Instant Messenger is a form of real time communication between two or more peoples
based on typed communication. Libraries are using Instant Messenger for real time chat
reference service which enhances the image of libraries in a virtual environment. The
nature of I. M. application is changing into more multimedia experience where audio
and video is used.

Messaging is common globally:

The widely used Library automation Software such as KOHA, Dspace and Libsys
provides option to send SMS alerts. Libraries are use SMS services in the following
domains. To send SMS to collect the requested books, reminder reminding the user it,
book is with in his / her account; information user about the exact fine.
Wi-Fi Internet Access:

Mobile phone especially Smartphone, without internet has no meaning. Mobile phones
are available with Wi-Fi facility. In this context, library service can make the provision
of Wi-Fi facility in the library to access online information resources subscribed by the
library / institutes.

Catalogue search :

Libraries can provide their catalogue on the mobile devices. The emergence of new
term m-OPAC is the result of application of mobile technology in library to search the
library collection to know and save the time of the user.

Conclusion :

There is a growing influence of mobile application technology in libraries especially as

network has become affordable, convent mobile applications have largely been accepted
in teaching, research and learning. Revolution in mobile devices is changing the way
information delivered and accessed. An increasing number of libraries provide services
and content delivery of mobile devices. Libraries have the opportunity to extend new
 types of services to users of mobile devices and develop, license or otherwise make
available scholarly content that is configured for mobile devices. Ideally libraries will
become part of an institutional planning process for the development of services for
mobile devices. This can be an astonishing means to outreach the users, enabling them
to access library resources and services from anywhere any time even when they are on
move. For this purpose the use of technology is very essential. Mobile application
technology has become boon to the libraries. A library may reach the remote users
effectively by adopting of mobile technology in its services.

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