Using Mobile Technology to Deliver Library Services

As mobile devices proliferate and the services and apps available increase exponentially, the average person expects information to be delivered to their mobile with minimum fuss and effort. Adapting to this new environment as an information service is crucial for survival but also offers myriad opportunities for improvement and promotion, providing a direct route to the user. Packed with easy to implement ideas, practical examples and international case studies, this title provides you with the ultimate toolkit, exploring ideas as simple as renewals and reminders to the more complex such as access to e-books and virtual worlds. Easy to follow coverage of the background and context to mobile delivery will enable you to fully understand the challenges and embrace the opportunities, getting to grips with critical issues such as what sort of services users really want. Key topics covered include: context including market penetration, range and functionality of devices, texting apps vs. mobile websites, mobile information literacy vs. other information literacies, mobiles in teaching, linking the physical and virtual worlds via mobile devices, E-books for mobiles, and the future of mobile delivery. This is an essential practical guide for all information professionals who want to get to grips with or improve their use of mobile services to strengthen their relationship with users. It would also be invaluable for museum staff facing the same challenges and LIS students and academics will find it a useful introduction to the topic.