Digital Transformation of library services in the Mobile World: The

future trends

B.P. SINGH
Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University), Agra-28205
e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
India is third world largest country for education system in the world. This paper presents digital
transformation of library services in 24x7 patterns through mobile technologies and QR Code on
mobile devices in digital age. In last two decade of 21st century, rapidly growth of mobile
technologies, especially Smartphone technology changed the human life and paradigms shifted
from digital library services to mobile library services in the changing world. Currently, digital
transformation landscape is evolving very fast in information management and dissemination
over the networks at the global level. Actually, ICT infrastructures as well as mobile
software’s/apps are commonly used by information professional in information management,
preservation and dissemination in educational institutions but it is very helps to users to instant
access of information resources on their mobile devices through mobile apps and web 2.0 tools.
This paper will discuss the tools used to setup of mobile based services in Indian academic
libraries like mobile technologies, QR code, Mobile apps, MOPAC, Mobile library websites,
mobile databases etc. Through implementing of several tools, some academic libraries provide
the mobile bases services like Library Kiosk (self services tools), Mobile accessible websites,
Mobile OPAC, Web-scale discovery, e-resources platform, Ask a Librarian, Audio Video
Tutorials, Library user guides, Library orientations, Library floor plan, Library blogs, e-
Mail/SMS alert and Library exhibits etc. The author elaborates that how libraries have evolved
to provide new ways of 24/7 access to their collections with open data and library services on
mobile devices. This paper explored the best practices of digital transformation of library
services in Indian libraries. Currently, almost Indian academic libraries are engages to provide e-
resources to 24x7 accessible and discover by the user’s on their mobile devices at the global
level. This paper mainly focuses on top digital transformation trends in near future.

Keywords: Digital Library services, Mobile app, MOPAC, Mobile Library Services, QR Codes.
Kiosks.
336 Publishing Technology and Future of Academia

Introduction:

Since the beginning of 21st century, rapid growth of Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) & Web 2.0 technologies, libraries are engages in creating new ways to deliver

the library services through digital transmission system. The digital transmission of library

resources and services with ICT and mobile technologies is a changing landscape of libraries and

it shifted paradigms from print services to digital services. Today, ICT enable libraries have a

new, more dynamic role in knowledge society and as the individual is affected by ICT, in the

same way, the individual can also influence the technology (Bradley, 2010). Almost modern

libraries began to recognize the presence of the web 2.0 experience and mobile services in

continuation to create and promote a digital culture for libraries’ users where interaction plays a

basic role (Bradley, 2010). Currently, with evolving the latest technologies in many modern

libraries, kiosk self service implemented to enhance the usage of library collection and services

by users in digital environment. Library Kiosks have now become a very popular tool in the

automated libraries to support the digital transformation. Many reputed libraries in India and

other countries are using kiosk as a self service tools to provide 24x7 accesses of libraries

services to the users. The kiosk is a useful tool and it will become a practically alternative to

circulation and information services in the library and outside library boundaries to support the

users need with digital transformation system.

In the digital age, rapidly information explosion on internet, library professionals play a

greater role in identifying and managing e-information resources to digital transformation of

library services for optimal use by users. Digital transformation may include provision of E-

journals, e-books, mobile based services, institutional repositories, tutorials, multimedia content,

SMS Services, Institutional repositories, and Kiosk based services. Currently mobile apps based

services are emerging as one of the innovative and popular library services to digital

transmission on mobile devices. Vollmer (2010) setup the mobile based services through m-

libraries portal in their library to optimal use and enhance the usage of e-information resources
Digital Transformation of library services in the Mobile World: The future 337
trends

and services by users in cost effective manner. Information Technology and Mobile

Technologies has provides new digital platforms in information management and disseminations

to digital transformation the library services over the networks at the global level. To support the

digital transformation many academic libraries created and uploaded on website a QR code

based digital library floorplans and virtual guide to the users connivance for 24x7x365

accessibility & discovery of their interested information.

Review Literature:
Pryor (2009) analyzed the changing roles of libraries that are required for a data
workforce and assessed the core skills required for data manager, data creator, data scientist and
data librarian roles, and related training opportunities are necessary to digital transformation of
information services. Karim, Darus & Hussin (2006) observed that perceptions on the
application of wireless hand services in library and information services were to be very positive.
Almost users of the libraries are demanded digital information services on their mobile devices
offered by library. Cochrane (2009) describes the rapid changes mobile services in university
libraries and research infrastructure and notes that continuous ICT skills helps to change
information delivery in digital form. The key role of the libraries in this new environment is
explored the digital content in mobile world.
Singh (2018) conducted a study on mobilizing the central university libraries in India
and founded that 72.34% Central University Libraries (CUL) of India provide web OPAC,
74.47% CUL provide digital repository services and only 23.40% CUL stated the mobile
services to users over the internet. Madhusudhan & Dar (2017) describes the mobile
Information Services in university libraries as a new way of delivering information in digital
environment. Gulcin Kubat (2017) examined that libraries at Turkish university, utilise a
comparable level of mobile technology with regard to the services they offer. There are mobile
library websites, mobile library catalogues (MOPAC), short messaging services (SMS), RSS,
chat rooms and other mobile device lending services using QR codes application.

Digital Transformation: A Changing Role of Libraries:

338 Publishing Technology and Future of Academia

To digital transmission of library services, the key role of libraries and their working
professionals has been totally changed with web applications. The digital transmission of library
services was an initiative as “library without walls” Weise, (2004). In the binging of 21st century,
almost library websites that traditionally included mainly static, directional, descriptive
information to internal and external services provided by respective library but nowadays
evolved into a more dynamic technologies with Web 2.0 tools and mobile technologies to easily
accessible information resources for users at anytime, anywhere. The web 2.0 tools such as
blogging, RSS feeds and social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and
audio-video podcasting etc, these act as the library and enable the platform to communicating,
sharing, and creating of information in networking environment.
This digital transmission landscape in libraries increasing rapidly with open source and
proprietary software’s to efficiently delivery of information on mobile devices. To support the
digital transmission mission, many commercial database vendors, such as EBSCO, Ex Libris,
Serial Solutions Summon, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and OCLC’s WorldCat are offer
discovery services to subscribers libraries that harvest information from several publishers. The
changing role of library professionals to digital transformation can be specifically observed as
following:
 Purchasing/subscription of e-resources
 Set up the new digital services on the place of traditional print services.
 More emphasis on collaborative and resources sharing practice.
 Advocacy of digital collection and services
 Setup the 24x7 pattern library services in networking environment
 Design and development of digital data repositories
 Implementing the Open Educational Resources platforms
 Development of mobile apps, MOPAC and mobile library websites etc
 Deterring plagiarism through anti-plagiarism tools
 Research advocacy, etc.

Digital Transformation and Makerspaces:

With implementing IT and mobile technologies to transforming library services and

enhance the usage of services, many libraries are facilitate digital information services to faster
Digital Transformation of library services in the Mobile World: The future 339
trends

communicate the information and also developed as a makerspaces. Roslund & Rodgers
(2014) defined makerspace as “Makerspace is a general term for a place where people get
together to make things. Markerspaces might focus on electronics, robotics, woodworking,
sewing, laser cutting, programming or some combination of these skills”.
.
Digital Transformation with Quick Response (QR) Codes:
A QR Code is trademark for Quick Response Code and it was first time developed by Denso-
Wave Corporation, Japan in 1994. It is a two-dimensional barcodes, they can contain hundred
times more data/information than simple barcode. It was basically designed as per international
standard (ISO-IEC-18004) in 2000. Today, many libraries are a QR code for digital services to
instant accessibility of e-information services over the networks anywhere, anytime. The
applications of QR codes in libraries are displayed below.

Screenshot: GBLCL, BBAU, Lucknow Screenshot: Central Library, IIT, Indore

Screenshot: QR code on Social Media

340 Publishing Technology and Future of Academia

Screenshot: QR Code based wi-fi networks

Digital Transformation with Mobile Apps:

With mobile technologies application in libraries, several libraries are developed own mobile
apps to digital transmission the library services and 24x7 information delivery on mobile devices.
Currently, mobile app is an easy way to connect the peoples with libraries and enhance the use of
library collection and services in a cost effective way. The screenshots of mobile app developed
by Central library, Sikkim University are displayed below.

Screenshots: Mobile app at Sikkim University (Source: http://library.cus.ac.in/)

Digital Transformation with Mobile databases:

Currently, many reputed publishers and library developed a mobile accessible database by
the users on their mobile devices. The mobile databases are accessible by registered users with
Digital Transformation of library services in the Mobile World: The future 341
trends

authorized login ID and password in mobile world. Some publishers/libraries provide the mobile
database accessibility through registered IP based within campus and also off campus. The
registered users of the library can access the databases on their mobile devices anywhere,
anytime. Currently, many libraries subscribe mobile databases like ScienceDirect, Scopus,
EBSCOhost and ISI Web Knowledge etc in the consortia mode from reputed publishes
Elsevier’s, Emeralds, Taylor & Francis and Thomson Reuters etc. The EBSCO is highly usable
mobile database to discover and access of knowledge on mobile devices anywhere and anytime
over the internet.

Screenshots: EBSCO Mobile database accessibility

Digital Transformation with Mobile Devices:

In the modern libraries to digital transmission of library e-resources and services mobile
devices are play a key role to 24x7 access information at anywhere, anytime. Mobile devices
include iPads, Smart phones, Laptops, Notebooks, Netbooks, PDAs, e-Book readers, Cell
phones, Audio players such as MP3 players etc. With the technological change for libraries
redesign the library services using mobile technologies to faster delivery of information on
mobile devices for instant utilized by both students and faculty. In the mobile world , instant
accessibility of information services is helps to solve the information problems with access to
342 Publishing Technology and Future of Academia

easy to use mobile apps, mobile databases search, social media like facebook twitter and
instagram etc.While many reputed libraries are implementing virtual reference services for users
to accessible on their mobile devices at the global level. Mobile devices, dramatic change the
information delivery and accessibility trends for users specifically on the use of digital
information resources.

Screenshot: e-book accessibility a mobile devices

Digital Transformation with Library Kiosks:

A library kiosk is a self service oriented tool established by a library in their campus and
off campus to self accessing the library services like issue-return, renewal, reservation, library
catalog and patron accounts etc. The kiosk basically designed accordingly to user's approach so
that they can be accessed information easily using this self services electronic device. The library
kiosk must be placed such that all students, researchers, faculty members of the
university/institution may easily use it without any barrier. It is a touch screen device with track
ball as well with Keyboard and registered users can self use the device without any library
professional.
Digital Transformation of library services in the Mobile World: The future 343
trends

Fig.: Library Kiosk @ BPCL, NIT, Rouekela

Digital Transformation with Web 2.0:

In the 21st century, a Web 2.0 technology is boon for digital transformation of library
services in networking environment. Web 2.0 provide an efficient and a cost effective solutions
for the promotion and marketing of library products and services at the global level. Web
2.0facilitate the creating library blogs, wikis, RSS, Ask a library and virtual reference (Live chat)
etc. to 24x7 connection between library staff and users anywhere, anytime. Web 2.0 also helps
raise current awareness services delivered by the libraries in time bounded manner. Web 2.0
support to social media platform in present scenario so that reputed libraries created social
networking account to promote the library services and efficiently delivering of information to
users. Social media can also be used as a means of networking, communication and sharing of
ideas with other professional organizations and colleagues, who work in different contexts,
allowing the wide spread of ideas and creating expanding international networks (Chu & Du,
2013). Currently, many libraries offer web 2.0 based library services to users on their mobile
devices.
Digital Transformation @ DEI (Deemed Univ.), Agra, UP:
The Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) is primer and well disciplines educational
institute with primary objective of evolving a “complete man” which received approbation from
the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the University Grant Commission (UGC), and the Ministry of
Education and Culture (Department of Education). The Government of India declared On May
16th 1981 as a Deemed University under Section 3 of the UGC Act. The DEI has a wide network
of Libraries in faculties as well as in departmental libraries. The Central Library was established
344 Publishing Technology and Future of Academia

in the academic session 1984-85 by DEI authority to support the educational and research
programs needs of students researchers and faculty members. The library opening time is 8:30
am to 5:00 pm on its all working day. The DEI Libraries now have reach collection about 1.83
lakh books, 7600+ bound volume of journals and more than 6000 e-journals through a
consortium Currently, Central Library facilitate the digital transmission of library services like e-
resources accessibility & discovery, MOPAC, Mobile library website, SMS, Check in/out items
alerts, New arrivals, library notifications etc to users on their mobile devices. In the users survey
2017-18 conducted by central library, 60.58% respondents are satisfied from e-information
services delivered by the library at DEI. The digital transmitted library services are displayed
below.

Screenshot: e-Resources accessible portal

Screenshots: e-Resources accessible portal

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Screenshot: MOPAC Service

Screenshot: New Arrivals Service

346 Publishing Technology and Future of Academia

Screenshot: E-mail Alerts for Book Check Out/In

Screenshot 16 Online feedback Portal

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QR Codes application at Central Library

Future Trends of Libraries to Digital Transformation:

To support and made an easily digital transformation of library services with ICT and mobile
technologies, libraries future trends are following.

 Implementing the Internet of Thing (IoT)

 Libraries connected with Clouds services (Public, Private, Hybrid)
 Transform remote e-resource access without additional cost
 Virtual reference service, Good to Great
 Consumption-Based IT Services for the Win (FTW).
 Setup of web scale discovery and accessibility
 Developing mobile apps for libraries by library professionals
 Promote open data culture with collaborative approach
 Mobile web 2.00 and 3.0 applications for social networking for the library community,
etc.

Conclusion:

With lot of emerging technologies and mobile technologies, many reputed libraries have initiated
digital transformation of library services and radically paradigm shifted from the satisfactory
stage to excellence stage to fulfill user demand in a cost effective way. Today, library
professionals are facing challenges to fulfil the needs of users with evolving changing to create a
library of the future.To digital transformation of library services a QR code technology help to
provide the online accessible services by users on their mobile devices through scanning QR
code of products and services. Through a practical approach author observed that QR Code is
348 Publishing Technology and Future of Academia

very powerful tool to promote and enhance the use of digital services at the global level. Also, I
observed that QR codes have wider applications compare to simple barcode in digital
transformation of library services. In the digital era several e-platforms as well as tools (Kiosks,
Institutional repositories, Mobile apps, MOPAC, Ask a Librarian, Virtual reference disk, Content
alert etc) are available to enhance the use of services in libraries. In the mobile world online
library resources and services can be made available 24x7 with a web authentication tool as well
as a proxy server to providing open access of resources free online. To promote the digital
transmission of library services in mobile world, many libraries, publishers and library vendors
are engages to developing mobile apps, e-resources and services that can be utilized over mobile
networks on mobile devices. The author also, observed that digital transformation of library e-
resources and services are dramatic challenges to change the information landscape in near
future and all the knowledge of world will be in user hand with mobile technologies.

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