Developing Adaptable, Efficient Mobile Library Services: Librarians as Enablers

Mobile devices such as smartphones, iPads and tablet computers are rapidly proliferating in society and changing the way information is organised, received and disseminated. Consequently the library world must adopt mobile services which maximise and adapt to exciting technological changes. What do library users want from mobile services? How can libraries adopt new, innovative mobile initiatives? How can libraries use their advantage of being technological intelligence centres to forge and create exciting new mobile services that directly target users’ needs, many of whom are now armed with smartphones when commencing their academic experience? These questions are all addressed in the following article which investigates user desires for mobile services at Leeds University library. User needs for a mobile library service at Leeds University Library are assessed with a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods and analysis in the form of focus groups and online questionnaires. As a result of this analysis, a mobile services toolkit is created for Leeds University and is potentially transferable, if adapted, to other library contexts. Results revealed the potential for the librarian to enable the user’s seamless quick retrieval of information by mobile means.