Mobile Technology and Libraries

Almost everyone has a mobile device from children to older adults and libraries have had about 20 years in the mobile technology game. Technology is always evolving, and libraries need to keep their mobile knowledge up to par. With a smartphone screen different from a PC’s, layouts need to be modified and “more suitable for the smartphone” (Bohyun). Having accessible top search links on the home screen of mobile sites creates easier accessibility. Some of those would be hours & location, catalog, My account, and collections. Users can also use features to reserve a study room or a computer at their library using mobile technology. I can say I've used my device to check the library hours and renew a book.

Students at Kent State University had suggestions for their mobile library website such as catalog searches, placing holds, receiving text when items are available and reminders for due dates, customizing databases (favorites), and live chat with the librarian (Bohyun). I agree, that accessing the mobile online library catalog and placing a book on hold is very convenient, especially when you're waiting at the DMV or other places that take lots of your time. 

Mobile technology also has built-in accessibility features to help users with visual impairment such as screen filters, color invert, digital magnification, and voice-over features (Biersdorer). 

 

Bohyun Kim. “The Present and Future of the Library Mobile Experience.” Library Technology Reports, vol. 49, no. 6, Aug. 2013, pp. 15–28. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=90405355&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

BIERSDORFER, J. D. "The Built-In Accessibility Features of iOS." New York Times (Online)New York Times Company, 2016. ProQuest, login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?auth=shibboleth&url=https://www.proquest.com/blogs-podcasts-websites/built-accessibility-features-ios/docview/1845285258/se-2.