M‐libraries 3: Transforming Libraries with Mobile Technology

Citation

du Preez, M. (2012), "M‐libraries 3: Transforming Libraries with Mobile Technology", Online Information Review, Vol. 36 No. 5, pp. 770-771. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684521211276055

Libraries' service delivery modes are being transformed by mobile service delivery approaches. This is because libraries are embracing the opportunities mobile technologies offer in their mainstream services. M‐Libraries 3 was compiled by Ally and Needham from papers presented at the Third International M‐libraries Conference in Brisbane, Australia (11‐13 May 2011). This collection of papers reflects the variety of mobile service delivery approaches that are being taken and share some libraries' experiences.

In the opening chapter Mohamed Ally describes the role of libraries in providing education for all. He notes that many global initiatives are being implemented to provide a basic education to citizens. He also explores how libraries could be transformed to provide education for all. This opening chapter is followed by 21 chapters subdivided into three thematic parts.

The topic of the first thematic part is developing mobile services. The third chapter in this part is by Jenny Raubenheimer and is of personal interest. In this chapter she discusses m‐library development at the University of South Africa (Unisa) – a distance learning institution. In her discussion she shows how mobile technologies are applied to enhance library services at Unisa. Other topics and experiences shared in this part pertains to the potential of mobile technology for the delivery of consumer health information, the evolution of e‐books and e‐book readers, how mobile services support service delivery to a multicultural student population in Pacific island countries, and the provision academic content in audio form.

Part 2 is about people and skills, and the six chapters in this part focus on two aspects of skills development: the skills library staff need to develop in order to support mobile users, and mobile delivery of information literacy skills for student users. The theme for Part 3 is focus on technology. The authors of Chapter 15 present a range of developments the National Library of China has achieved in their suite of mobile services, whilst highlighting the constraints and challenges experienced. Chapter 16 provides an overview of the explosion of mobile phone usage in India. Other studies in this part that address mobile technologies include an ethnographic study at the University of Illinois; this study investigated the use of library iPads by students whilst riding a campus bus. There is also a description of the development of mobile services at the Open University Library in the UK. The final chapter in this section provides a simple step‐by‐step guide to developing a basic mobile website. This chapter is different from the previous chapters in that it has a practical approach and could also prove to be an invaluable resource for any library embarking on mobile service development.

M‐libraries 3 is a topical guide for information professionals in all sectors. These include policy makers, researchers, developers, publishers and suppliers. Students of library and information science and newcomers to the profession will also find it an invaluable resource. The book reads easily; bibliographies appearing at the end of each chapter can prompt further reading, and a useful index concludes the book.