Mobile Technology and Libraries

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 Mobile Technology helping libraries and patrons

Post by Jennifer Fischer


Many people think with the rise of technology and mobile devices libraries and reference services will decline. Libraries have just adapted to the use of technology to help patrons, and in fact new technologies have made libraries more accessible to more patrons. 

In an article published in 2011 titled, "iRoam: Leveraging mobile technology to provide innovative point of need reference services" from the journal Code4Lib, the use of mobile technology to reach more patrons is explored through some research and a little experiment that one library took on. 

The library purchased iPads for the librarians to use while "roaming" the library. This was meant to be a way for librarians to reach more students in order to help with reference questions. The library staff noticed reference services were on the decline, but found through this experience that technology actually helped them. Some students or patrons are hesitant, or maybe even unable to physically go to the reference desk to ask questions, and therefore may not always get the help or the resources they need.

The librarians found that they were able to reach more students on or off campus, as well as provide reference services to more students during "peak reference" hours. Librarians could also chat with students from these devices, and go to the students where they needed assistance (Macdonald & McCabe, 2011). Since the iPads also have search engines, librarians were able to look up answers to questions on the spot. The authors explain some setbacks they faced, however, this was published in 2011 and so many more technologies have surfaced since then. 

I think this study is a great example of the perks of mobile or roaming technology, and with the upsurge of smartphones and all of the information services they may provide, these devices can ultimately make for a smooth experience at the library. 

MacDonald, J., & McCabe, K. (2011). iRoam: leveraging mobile technology to provide innovative point of need reference services. Code4Lib Journal, 13, 1–7.

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