Reference Services Review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compile and explain the mobile services developed by the Rector Gabriel Ferraté Library (BRGF) of the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), in Barcelona, Spain. From a larger amount of technological features that distinguish the BRGF, only those with a main mobile component are grouped here.

Design/methodology/approach – A case study perspective is used to give a detailed picture of the mobile services and features offered by the library in both the university and the Spanish technological contexts. The paper aims to show the effectiveness and potential to deliver library services through the preferred tools of a new generation of students.

Findings – Offering mobile services has amplified the use of the library in different ways and has improved the image of the library as a technological reference for users and librarians. From a general point of view, being ahead of the game has been revealed to be an appropriate strategy for the library when implementing new technological services.

Originality/value – The paper will be useful for libraries searching new and innovative technological channels to communicate and deliver their services. So far, there have been very few papers about mobile services in European libraries and very few Spanish libraries with a significant number of these services for their users.