In August 2009, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries launched a mobile web site and catalog designed for use on smartphones. Library users can search for books and view library hours, location branches, and other basic information about the University of North Carolina libraries on their iPhone, Android phone, or other smartphone. An outline of the development process is given in eight major steps that are designed to be replicated by other libraries. Lessons learned during development are also shared, along with recommendations of devices to develop for and tools to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=11&sid=32d26eef-5aab-4af2-ad1a-c9624344797d%40sessionmgr115&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=57138008&db=a9h Haefele, C. (2011). One Block at a Time: Building a Mobile Site Step by Step. Reference Librarian, 52(1/2), 117-127. doi:10.1080/02763877.2011.528269

The article discusses survey results regarding the involvement that libraries have with digital technologies. Topics discussed in the article include the way in which libraries use mobile technologies to expand their reach to additional clients, mobile services that librarians would like to be able to offer to their clients, such as electronic resources, and difficulties that libraries face in offering digital technology services to their clients. [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database]

This article examines technology trends in higher education and how they impact student habits and preferences in college libraries. A study was conducted among students at the Sam Houston State University in East Texas to investigate their usage of electronic devices and technologies such as text messaging, Twitter, podcasts, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, and social networks. Results indicate that students do wish that basic library services were available through the most popular social networking sites and Internet technologies. Topics include a review of literature consulted, methods used, and the demographics of the student body researched. [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=7&sid=32d26eef-5aab-4af2-ad1a-c9624344797d%40sessionmgr115&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=61993848&db=a9h Cassidy, E. D., Britsch, J., Griffin, G., Manolovitz, T., Shen, L., & Turney, L. (2011). Higher Education and Emerging Technologies: Student Usage, Preferences, and Lessons for Library Services. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 50(4), 380-391.

To discover how a newly developed library mobile website performed across a variety of devices, the authors used a hybrid field and laboratory methodology to conduct a usability test of the website. Twelve student participants were recruited and selected according to phone type. Results revealed a wide array of errors attributed to site design, wireless network connections, as well as phone hardware and software. This study provides an example methodology for testing library mobile websites, identifies issues associated with mobile websites, and provides recommendations for improving the user experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=2&sid=32d26eef-5aab-4af2-ad1a-c9624344797d%40sessionmgr115&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=83583519&db=a9h Pendell, K. D., & Bowman, M. S. (2012). Usability Study of a Library's Mobile Website: An Example from Portland State University. Information Technology & Libraries, 31(2), 45-62.

- The purpose of this paper is to get an insight in users' opinion on library resources/services on small screen mobile devices. Objectives were to establish which types of small screen mobile devices are used and to find out is there a tendency for using academic and educational contents on such devices. Furthermore, aim was to identify whether the users need mobile friendly library web site and services at all. Also, what library resources/services and to what extent respondents consider as the important ones for mobile friendly customization. Finally the results would serve as an orientation in building mobile friendly library web site and services. The author believed that the users were still unaware of the possibility of accessing library web sites and services through mobile devices in general; therefore, this survey also had a role of raising awareness and stimulating their interest. - The survey was focussed on small screen mobile devices with screen size up to seven inches (17.1 cm). Data collection was performed through a questionnaire containing ten questions. The authors received 295 questionnaires, out of which 285 were taken into account. - The survey found that the largest number of respondents own smartphone/tablet/phablet. The results show that small screen devices are, to some extent, used for educational, academic and informational purposes (reading of e-books and e-journals, education, data checking, internet searching and searching of handy information), but non-academic purposes still predominate (texting, reading e-mails, phone calls, taking pictures). Overall 64 percent of the respondents has expressed need for small screen mobile devices customized library resources/services, but there are 30 percent of undecided respondents. Pazur, I. (2014). Attitude of the rudjer boskovic institute's scientists to the small screen mobile devices library services. Library Hi Tech, 32(4), 628-644.

Sims Memorial Library of Southeastern Louisiana University was the first U. S. library to launch a text message reference service. The article describes the rationale, funding, implementation, results, and integration of the service into the Library's suite of branded 'Ask A Librarian' reference services. Usage statistics and a breakdown of the types of questions are presented for the five-year history of the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=8&sid=777400f5-917a-43a0-83b8-26cdc83f8315%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=a9h&AN=57137991 Stahr, B. (2011). Text Message Reference Service: Five Years Later. Reference Librarian, 52(1/2), 9-19. doi:10.1080/02763877.2011.524502

Purpose - Society may be on the verge of a revolutionary phase of mobile device use in higher education generally and in libraries in particular. This paper seeks to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach - Through an examination of trends and technological developments in the area of mobile devices and a review of the potential of mobile devices, the paper analyzes the potential of mobile devices in academic libraries. Findings - Most college students own cell phones and laptops and the capabilities of these and other devices are expanding. Research limitations/implications - Libraries have the opportunity to extend new types of services to users of mobile devices and to 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. Practical implications - The more pervasive use by students of smartphones, the uptake of e-book readers, and the increasing use of mobile devices in some areas of the curriculum all have implications for libraries. Social implications - Some writers in this area believe that the increased capabilities of mobile devices could lead to new forms of engagement with student learning; this possibility can be embraced by academic libraries that seek to be strong partners in the teaching and learning process of their institution. Originality/value - The paper synthesizes developments and provides suggestions for the future. [Abstract from ESC ProQuest Research Library database] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/docview/200472713/abstract/66E4668274504CDCPQ/1?accountid=8067 Lippincott, J. K. (2010). A mobile future for academic libraries. Reference Services Review, 38(2), 205-213. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00907321011044981

Purpose - This study proposes a mobile learning model that employs digital libraries to support investigative learning activities. A student-centered mobile learning activity with self-guided exploration for physical ecology observation has been conducted to demonstrate the benefits of using digital libraries to support investigation-based ecology learning activities. Design/methodology/approach - An investigation-based mobile learning model is proposed and an experiment is designed to show the effectiveness of the learning model, in which the students are asked to answer a series of questions by observing the real-world learning objects and searching for supplemental materials from a digital library. Findings - The instructional experiment conducted in an elementary school with 64 sixth grade students shows that the innovative approach is able to improve the learning achievement, learning effectiveness, as well as the learning attitudes of the students. Practical implications - The findings of this paper imply that the use of the investigative learning model will significantly promote the utilization rate of digital libraries. Originality/value - An investigative model for using digital libraries to support mobile learning is proposed in this paper. It provides good guidance to teachers for designing learning activities with digital libraries, and a good way for students to learn, utilizing the materials in digital libraries. [Abstract from ESC ProQuest Research Library database] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/docview/888251730/288B8D1870394980PQ/1?accountid=8067 Ju-Ling, S., Hwang, G., Yu-Chung, C., & Chien-Wen, C. (2011). An investigation-based learning model for using digital libraries to support mobile learning activities. The Electronic Library, 29(4), 488-505. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02640471111156759

Although many libraries already offer some type of reference service geared toward people who use mobile devices, they generally focus on the reference transaction and not on some of the broader aspects of service, including availability of content for mobile devices and relationship of the library's services to mobile initiatives on campus. Asking the right questions during the planning process can assist librarians in clarifying their goals for the service, identifying units to work with on campus, and determining whether the service is successful. This is a rapidly developing area and flexibility is key. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=22&sid=777400f5-917a-43a0-83b8-26cdc83f8315%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=49153076&db=a9h Lippincott, J. K. (2010). Mobile Reference: What Are the Questions?. Reference Librarian, 51(1), 1-11. doi:10.1080/02763870903373016

The mobile revolution, the fastest diffusion of technology in human history, is rapidly changing the future of reference services. Using personal, portable information, communication, and entertainment (PP ICE) devices to ask and receive reference information is not just another in the growing list of reference communication channels. PP ICE reference fuels mobile information experiences, which are integrated more closely with what one is doing and thinking at the moment. To be useful in the mobile era, library reference services need to overcome the reference desk mentality and the schedule fetish. Because of the mobile revolution, social search will rise again. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=16&sid=777400f5-917a-43a0-83b8-26cdc83f8315%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=57138012&db=a9h Peters, T. A. (2011). Left to Their Own Devices: The Future of Reference Services on Personal, Portable Information, Communication, and Entertainment Devices. Reference Librarian, 52(1/2), 88-97. doi:10.1080/02763877.2011.520110

Academic libraries have traditionally provided computers for students to access their collections and, more recently, facilitate all aspects of studying. Recent changes in technology, particularly the increased presence of mobile devices, calls into question how libraries can best provide technology support and how it might affect the use of other library services. A two-year study conducted at California State University San Marcos library analyzed student use of computers in the library, both the library's own desktop computers and laptops owned by students. The study found that, despite the increased ownership of mobile technology by students, they still clearly preferred to use desktop computers in the library. It also showed that students who used computers in the library were more likely to use other library services and physical collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=18&sid=777400f5-917a-43a0-83b8-26cdc83f8315%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=89086995&db=a9h Thompson, S. (2012). Student Use of Library Computers: Are Desktop Computers Still Relevant In Today's Libraries?. Information Technology & Libraries, 31(4), 20-33

The California State University-Fullerton Pollak Library recently launched a mobile version of its Web site to accommodate the needs of a burgeoning mobile user group. This article focuses on the process of conceptualizing, building, and deploying the mobile version of this Web site. It highlights the development process, from reviewing and understanding existing user needs to translating findings into meaningful mobile Web sites, and provides a detailed overview of the finished site. Some of what was learned during the conceptual and developmental phases might help other libraries considering going mobile. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] [Abstract from ESC Academic Search Complete database] Link: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=20&sid=777400f5-917a-43a0-83b8-26cdc83f8315%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=77492907&db=a9h DeMars, J. M. (2012). Smarter Phones: Creating a Pocket Sized Academic Library. Reference Librarian, 53(3), 253-262. doi:10.1080/02763877.2012.678236

The purpose of this paper is to explore the students' opinion of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, regarding the use and success of mobile technology in the library environment for providing better services by library and their expectations from the library through mobile technology. Design/methodology/approach - A survey was conducted through a well-structured and precise questionnaire circulated personally among 200 students studying in Jawaharlal Nehru University for the academic session 2012-2013. Findings - The majority of students are in favor of using mobile technology for better services, and it is expected by the students that services should be provided to them by libraries through mobile technology. Furthermore, the study also explores the students' opinion on improved services using mobile technology. Research limitations/implications - The geographical area of study was confined to the students of the JNU, New Delhi, purely regarding their opinion on use and success of mobile technology by the library. The research results are limited to this environment only. Originality/value - The paper highlights the students' opinion of JNU regarding the use of mobile technology by the library for better services, and further it also explores the expectations of students from the library through this technology. [Abstract from ProQuest Research Library Database (at ESC)] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/docview/1633960190/D4F687B968B342A3PQ/1?accountid=8067 Kumar, A. (2014). Students opinion about the success of mobile technology in libraries. New Library World, 115(9), 471. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1633960190?accountid=8067

The purpose of this paper is to carry out a survey in order to better understand the nature of handheld mobile computing use by academic library users and to determine whether there is a significant demand for using the library services with these small screen devices. Design/methodology/approach - A survey is created to measure whether people want to access an OPAC with a small screen. Additionally, through open-ended questions, the survey attempts to gain a broader understanding of handheld mobile computing's impact on, and implications for, the services provided by academic libraries. Findings - A total of 58.4 percent of respondents who own a web-enabled handheld device indicate that they would use small screen devices, such as PDAs or web-enabled cell phones to search a library OPAC. Originality/value - The increasing prevalence of handheld mobile computing devices such as PDAs and web-enabled cell phones warrants investigation as to its impact on libraries. This study examines an academic library user population and the potential demand for using the library's catalog with handheld mobile computing devices [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT] [Abstract from ProQuest Research Library Database (at ESC)] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/docview/200628509/B3C6B49E0E3E48BAPQ/1?accountid=8067 Cummings, J., Merrill, A., & Borrelli, S. (2010). The use of handheld mobile devices: Their impact and implications for library services. Library Hi Tech, 28(1), 22-40. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/07378831011026670

The purpose of this paper is to determine how students at the University of Regina would like to interact with the library on their mobile devices and how to best construct a mobile site to suit the university community's needs. Design/methodology/approach - A survey was designed to gather feedback from the university community on their use of mobile devices and how they would want to use the library's resources and services via their mobile device. This survey also attempts to better understand how academic libraries can provide effective mobile services. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to several Canadian academic libraries. Its purpose was to discover what other institutions were doing with mobile technologies. Findings - The survey found that 95.4 percent of students that responded to the survey had a smartphone and 75 percent of them used their mobile phone to access the web. The survey indicated that the library catalogue was the most popular resource chosen to become mobile enabled. The questionnaire distributed to other Canadian academic libraries showed that some libraries were designing and building web apps, while others were creating native apps. Originality/value - With the increase of mobile technology availability and the demand for accessible mobile content, it is imperative that libraries examine how they can provide services to their patrons within this medium in order to continue to provide valuable services. Mobile technologies are constantly changing, so continuous assessment in this area is of importance. [Abstract from ProQuest Research Library Database (at ESC)] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/docview/1317291149/816AB54A77F845FAPQ/1?accountid=8067 Nowlan, G. (2013). Going mobile: Creating a mobile presence for your library. New Library World, 114(3), 142-150. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/03074801311304050

In this paper we report on two surveys and offer an introductory plan that librarians may use to begin implementing mobile access to selected library databases and services. Results from the first survey helped us to gain insight into where students at Utah State University (USU) in Logan, Utah, stand regarding their use of mobile devices for academic activities in general and their desire for access to library services and resources in particular. A second survey, conducted with librarians, gave us an idea of the extent to which responding libraries offer mobile access, their future plans for mobile implementation, and their opinions about whether and how mobile technologies may be useful to library patrons. In the last segment of the paper, we outline steps librarians can take as they "go mobile." [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT] [Abstract from ProQuest Research Library Database (at ESC)] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/docview/1022030098/E42CA3FE9EF84F7CPQ/1?accountid=8067 Dresselhaus, A., & Shrode, F. (2012). Mobile technologies & academics: Do students use mobile technologies in their academic lives and are librarians ready to meet this challenge? Information Technology and Libraries (Online), 31(2), 82-101. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1022030098?accountid=8067

This paper aims to provide quantitative and qualitative data on students' use of mobile devices and to consider the benefit of academic mobile library services to students. Design/methodology/approach - Initial mobile library research included an online survey that attracted 1,716 participants. This was followed up with two discussion groups of six undergraduate and five postgraduate students. The survey followed-on from an earlier survey conducted by the University of Edinburgh's Information Services (IS) in March 2010. Findings - The dramatic growth of smartphone ownership among students in an eight-month period was surprising: a 17 per cent increase between March and November 2010. In addition, 68 per cent of students who plan to change their mobile handset would upgrade to a smartphone. Research limitations/implications - As students were unable to provide feedback on University of Edinburgh's own mobile library services, their feedback is speculative and subject to change. Practical implications - The paper provides evidence for libraries to determine the value of developing their own mobile services. It also demonstrates the proliferation of mobile device usage within the university and library context and indicates which services students would find most useful on a mobile device. Originality/value - The paper provides insight into a rapidly moving area of technology as demonstrated through the research. The increasing use of mobile devices among students is important to acknowledge. The role of the academic library is to embrace changing student behaviour by providing services optimised for mobile devices. [Abstract from ProQuest Research Database (at ESC)] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/docview/888252676/62B2CB0524347BEPQ/1?accountid=8067 Paterson, L., & Low, B. (2011). Student attitudes towards mobile library services for smartphones. Library Hi Tech, 29(3), 412-423. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/

"Mobile cloud learning, a combination of mobile learning and cloud computing, is a relatively new concept that holds considerable promise for future development and delivery in the education sectors. Cloud computing helps mobile learning overcome obstacles related to mobile computing. The main focus of this paper is to explore how cloud computing changes traditional mobile learning. A case study of the usage of Moodle in the cloud via mobile learning in Khalifa University was conducted." [Abstract from ERIC database.] Wang, M., Chen, Y., & Khan, M. J. (2014). Mobile Cloud Learning for Higher Education: A Case Study of Moodle in the Cloud. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 15(2), 254-267.

"The advantages of mobile technologies have not been lost on higher education institutions, and they have tried to provide educational services through the use of mobile learning management system (LMS). However, offering such services does not necessarily mean that the students will adopt the new technology. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine what factors facilitate and hinder the students' adoption of the mobile campus. The study was based on the diffusion of innovation model and compared the perceptions of mobile LMS users and nonusers. Eighty-five students in a cyber university responded to the survey, and the results revealed that even though nonusers perceived the advantages of using mobile LMS, they did not adopt the system because of its complexity and resistance. A discussion and the implications for further development of mobile LMS followed." [Abstract from ERIC database.] Han, I., & Han, S. (2014). Adoption of the Mobile Campus in a Cyber University. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. 15(6), 237-256.

"Technology acceptance in education has been and continues to be a central concern for researchers, application and platform developers, and educators. Rapid advancements in miniaturization along with the availability of fast, reliable, and affordable networks have sparked an increasing demand by students for better ways to complement their mobile lifestyles in support of their learning. Based on a review of the literature of technology acceptance and trends in mobile device usage in learning, this researcher tested the predictive power of the Mobile Learning Acceptance Model (MLAM) in an online higher education setting. MLAM is an extension of the technology acceptance model (TAM) inasmuch as it seeks to obtain user perceptions of usefulness and ease of use and their effect on user attitude and behavioral intention to use mobile devices for learning. For this research, users included students and faculty. Current literature indicates that student desire for access to a variety of learning resources anywhere anytime is growing yet little is known regarding faculty perceptions regarding mobile learning (m-learning) or on how institutions can position themselves to meet the growing demand. A web-based survey design was used to test MLAM using a previously developed and validated instrument, though updated to include and exclude what is now or no longer applicable and the wording modified to ensure relevancy to the target population studied. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to validate the factor structure. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which factors had the greatest influence on m-learning acceptance." [Abstract from ERIC database.] Link: http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/docview/1399418322/abstract?accountid=8067 Marrs, K. (2013). An investigation of the factors that influence faculty and student acceptance of mobile learning in online higher education. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.esc.edu/pqrl/doc