Mobile technology and libraries

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Photo source: www.leanforward.com/elearning-photos/

 Currently enrolled in three college courses, I find myself constantly reading e-books and articles (do I need to mention they’re online? is that not a given nowadays?) with Microsoft Edge’s Read Aloud assistive technology. Otherwise, I would zone out if my eyes had to do all the reading on a computer screen.

Of importance is the fact that access to the library’s mobile technologies are what makes my learning through technological means possible. I can’t afford Audible, nor Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited (e-book) subscription, nor access to scholarly databases. But thanks to the public and college libraries, I have access to a lot of content I would not otherwise be able to access. The college’s library would be a long commute from home, but I can access its content remotely at any time of the day, any day of the week.

A study begun in 2021 and still in progress seeks to demonstrate the positive outcomes that mobile technologies bring to training and information access. Modern society’s technology has advanced and with it new approaches to learning are required. Mobile access to information is increasingly used. Over half the students surveyed support the use of mobile devices in formal education. Since a key function of libraries is to cater to their users/patrons, it is important that libraries provide mobile services. Mobile technologies can positively change teaching, learning and access to information (Peteva, 2023).

 

Works Cited

Peteva, Irena, et al. “Impact of Mobile Technology on Learning and Library Policies.” Advanced Research in Technologies, Information, Innovation and Sustainability, Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023, pp. 102–15, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48930-3_8.

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