Abstract
Due to the worldwide rapid adoption of mobile-based applications in libraries to foster the delivery of information services on mobile devices of library users, there are vast and growing collections of peer-reviewed research and conference papers available in various online databases. Analyzing the literature related to mobile-based library services is one method to conduct future research to enhance library collections and services in the digital age. The primary goal of this paper is to review the most relevant literature in the field to better understand these previous research works, identify trends and to determine the research gaps for future studies. A comprehensive and systematic review of the literature on mobile-based applications in libraries and information centres of peer-reviewed research papers, and conference proceedings published in online databases (ProQuest-LISA and Web of Science) during the last seven years (2015–2022) was conducted for critical analysis and to address the present trends of mobile-based applications in these studies. We identified that many studies have described the use of mobile apps–based applications like Mobile Online Public Access Catalogue (MOPAC), Mobile websites, Mobile databases, WhatsApp, SMS, RSS, and Quick Response (QR) Codes in the enhancement of library collections and services around the globe. We observed that 75.93% of documents were published as research articles, and 42.59% of publications were identified under the two authorship patterns. Also, the authors investigated the current and future state of the research in this field by synthesizing the results of published high-quality experimental studies and systematic mapping studies on related disciplines. We hope that this study will be helpful for librarians and information professionals to better understand and implement the applications of mobile technologies for enhancement of library collections and services in the virtual world.
References
Acheampong, E., & Agyemang, F. G. (2021). Enhancing academic library services provision in the distance learning environment with mobile technologies. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(1), 1-7.
Acheampong, E., & Dei, D. (2020). Management preparedness towards the implementation of mobile technology library services in academic libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Feb 2020, 1-11.
Access, O., & Elahi, M. H. (2016). Designing a mobile based library information and service delivery system: A model plan for libraries of Bangladesh. Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice, 44 (33), 57-70.
Ajab Mohideen, Z., Sheikh, A., & Kaur, K. (2022), Developing an open-source mobile app in library services: The case of a national university in Malaysia, Digital Library Perspectives, 38 (3), 283-300. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-08-2021-0064
Ajibade, P. (2022). Needs for mobile-responsive institutional open access digital repositories. Library Hi Tech News, 39(8), 12-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-04-2022-0054
Ali, M., & Asl, N. S. (2019). Assessing mobile application components in providing library services. The Electronic Library, 37 (1), 49-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-10-2018-0204
Anbu, K., John, P., & Kataria, S. (2015). Design and testing of mobile library websites: Best practices in creating mobile library applications (pp.1-12). In Needham, Gill & Ally, Mohamed (Eds.), M-Libraries 5: From Devices to People. London, Facet Publishing.
Ansari, M. S., & Aditya, T. (2017). Use of WhatsApp for effective delivery of library and information services. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 37(5), 360-365. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.37.11090
April, G., & Isaac-Menard, R. (2015). Database mobile accessibility assessment at Adelphi University Libraries. Journal of Web Librarianship, 9(2-3), 85-98.
Becker, D. A. (2015). Best practices of library mobile website design: A literature review. College and Undergraduate Libraries, 22, 167-187.
Beg, S., Khan, S. U. R., & Anjum, A. (2022). Data usage-based privacy and security issues in mobile app recommendation (MAR): A systematic literature review. Library Hi Tech, 40(3), 725-749. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-04-2021-0147
Bondarenko, V. (2020). QR code as a tool of the marketing library activity. Ukrainian Journal on Library and Information Science, 5, 127-142. DOI:10.31866/2616-7654.5.2020.205735
Canuel, R., & Crichton, C.(2015). Leveraging apps for research and learning: A survey of Canadian academic libraries. Library Hi Tech, 33 (1), 2-14.
Chaputula, A. H., & Stephen, M. (2018). Provision of library and information services through mobile phones in public university libraries in Malawi. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 67 (1/2), 52-69. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-05-2017-0048
Chaputula, A. H., Adullah, H., & Brave, M. (2020). Proliferation of social media in academic libraries: Use of WhatsApp as a platform for providing library services. Library Management, 41(8/9), 717-729. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-04-2020-0075
Dar, S. A. (2019). Mobile library initiatives: A new way to revitalize the academic library settings. Library Hi Tech News, 36(5), 15-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-05-2019-0032
Dinazzah, A. R., & Rahmi, R. (2022). Mobile library application in Indonesia’s digital libraries. Journal of Education Technology, 6(1), 149-155. https://ejournal.undiksha.ac.id/index.php/JET
Donker, T., Petrie, K., Proudfoot, J., Clarke, J., Birch, M. R., & Christensen, H. (2013). Smartphones for smarter delivery of mental health programs: A systematic review. J Med Internet Res, 15(11):e247. https://doi: 10.2196/jmir.2791
Ebiye, E. V. (2015). Impact of smartphones/tablets on the information seeking behaviour of medical students and staff of Niger Delta University Bayelsa State – Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-14.
Gunjal, B., & Gaffar, S. A. (2019). Mobile applications in libraries: A study on its awareness and access aspects; In Emerging Trends for SMART Libraries: A Festschrift in honour of Prof. V.P. Khare; Eds.: Sonal Singh, BK Singh, Neelam Thapa, Volume 3 - Smart Libraries: Digital Technologies and Trends, Shree Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, 699-713. ISBN: 973-81-8329-911-4
Guo, Y., Lam, A. H. C., Chiu, D. K. W., & Ho, K. K. W. (2022). Perceived quality of reference service with WhatsApp. Information Technology and Libraries, 41(3), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v41i3.14325
Izuagbe, R., Ifijeh, G., & Ilo, P. I. (2021). Retooling the concept of information service provision: imperatives for libraries in developing countries in times of pandemic. In online Conference of the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN), Tagged: “Digital Transformation for Development.”
Jia, H., Guo, C., & Liu, X. (2020). Smartphone and tablet application (app) life cycle characterization via Apple app store rank. Data and Information Management, 4(1), 44-67. https://doi.org/10.2478/dim-2020-0002
Jakati, S. C. & Kumar, G. K. (2022). Mobile applications in libraries for delivering information resources and services. International Journal of Humanities Social Science and Management (IJHSSM), 1(1), 56-59.
Johnson Dei, D. (2020). Assessing adoption and implementation of mobile technology-based library services in academic libraries. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering, 9(3), 1669-77. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijitee.C8305.019320
Jumah, B. H., & Dar, S. A. (2019). Anytime, anywhere access to information resources: A case study from Kuwait. Library Hi Tech News, 36 (7), 20-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-08-2019-0049
Kaddipujar, M., Jacob, R., & Kumbar, B. D. (2022). Mobile application development using MIT app inventor: An experiment at Raman Research Institute Library. Bulletin of the AAS. https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.d68a2a42
Kadli, J. H. (2020). QR Codes: Academic library perspective in digital age. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-9.
Kesselman, M. A. (2022). Technology on the move: creativity and innovation mobile apps. Library Hi Tech News, 39 (10), 12-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-09-2022-0103
Kharat, S. A., Nagarkar, S., & Panage, B. M. (2022). Design and development of digital information product and service using colour QR codes for smartphone users of academic libraries. Library Management, 43 (8-9), 577-600. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-10-2021-0086
Khanim, S. G., & Ahmed, F. Y. (2018). Utilization of short message services (SMS) for library notification system. International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 13 (9), 6503-6513.
Kubat, G. (2017). The mobile future of university libraries and an analysis of the Turkish case. Information and Learning Science, 118(3/4), 120-140. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-09-2016-0063
Connaway, L. et al. (2021). New model library: Pandemic effects and library directions. Dublin, OH: OCLC Research, 2021.
Madhusudhan, M., & Dar, S. A. (2017). Mobile information services and initiatives in university libraries. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 37 (2), 109-118. https//10.14429/djlit.37.2.11116
Maghribi, M., Osman, M. N., & Zainal, N. F. (2017). SMS-based content alert: A digital library web-based system using SMS technology. Jurnal Kejuruteraan, Teknologi dan Sains Sosial, 3(2), Special Issue-IIPC ’2017.
Maideen, S. (2017). Mobile technologies for academic libraries: An overview. Emerging Trends in Library and Information Science, 124-129.
Mansouri, A., & Soleymani Asl, N. (2019). Assessing mobile application components in providing library services. The Electronic Library, 37(1), 496. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-10-2018-0204
Madzidon, A., & Harun, N. Z. (2022). Library borrowing system using QR code for SK Jelotong. Applied Information Technology and Computer Science, 3(2), 225-240. http://publisher.uthm.edu.my/periodicals/index
Malavolta, I., Ruberto, S., Soru, T., & Terragni, V. (2015). End users’ perception of hybrid mobile apps in the Google play store, in Proceedings — 2015. In: IEEE 3rd International Conference on Mobile Services, MS 2015. New York, NY, USA, 25-32.
Manro, K., Stevenson, K., Stenson, R., & Walker, W. (2019). Mobilizing your library. In MacKenzie, Alison & Martin, Lindsey (Eds.), Mastering digital librarianship: Strategy, networking and discovery in academic libraries. Facet Publishing, London, UK, 171-84.
Nasir, N. (2020). Malaysian libraries, librarians and library associations response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).
Ocran, T. K., Underwood, E. P., & Arthur, P. A. (2020). Strategies for successful implementation of mobile phone library services. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 46(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2020.102174
Rajasekhar, G., & Sasikala, C. (2018). Mobile technology-based library services: Issues in implementing. International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management, 4(4), 159-165. https://doi.org/10.18231/2454-9150.2018.0473
Sambo, A. S., Lawal, A. M., & Helen, K. (2021). The use of smart phones for information seeking by undergraduate students in Nigerian specialized university. Library Philosophy and Practice, (April 2021), 1-17. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/use-smart-phones-information-seeking/docview/2525719514/se-2
Saravani, S. J., & Haddow, G. (2017). A theory of mobile library service delivery. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 49(2), 131–143.
Sharma, R., & Madhusudhan, M. (2017). Use of mobile devices by library and information science students in central universities of Uttar Pradesh. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 37(4), 293-302. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.37.4.11505
Singh, B. P. (2015). Applications of quick response code in libraries and information centres. In book: Electronic resources and digital services, Delhi: Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre (DESIDOC). 50-53.
Singh, B. P. (2018). Mobilizing the university libraries with special reference to Indian Central University libraries: A case study of select university libraries. In book: Transforming the society: Libraries as the torchbearer of change (IFLA.CU 2018). Kolkata: DLIS, University of Calcutta. 327-38.
St Patrick’s Duncan, A. (2021). A library at the touch of a fingertip: An analysis of mobile library services at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus. Library Hi Tech News, 38 (1), 14-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-06-2020-0059
Swogger, S. E., & Linares, B. M. (2016). Brow zine: A method for managing a personalized collection of journals. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 35(1), 83-93.
Ward, D., Hahn, J., & Mestre, L. (2015). Designing mobile technology to enhance library space use: Findings from an undergraduate student competition. Journal of. Learn and Spaces, 4(1), 31-40.
Yi, Y., Hwang, B., & Kim, D. (2022). A model for mobile curation services in academic libraries. The Electronic Library, 40(1/2), 99-117. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-09-2021-0178
Zahr, S. (2021). Smart applications for smarter libraries: Application models for rendering academic library services through smartphones. In Singh, B.P. & Madhusudhan, Margam (Eds.), Applying Mobile Technologies in Transformation of Library Services. Agra, Social Development Federation, 1-20.
Websites
Bell, S. J. (2022). Moving to mobile: Space as a service in the academic library, Educause
Central Library, IIT-Delhi, (2023). Library App. https://library.iitd.ac.in/pdf/Mobile-Applications-in-Library-Services/
Hong Kong, Tung Wah College (2022). WhatsApp the library service. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from. https://www.twc.edu.hk/en/Administration_Units/lib/our_service/whatsapp
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2023 International Journal of Librarianship