An investigation into how mobile technologies can advance service delivery for library users at the University of Pretoria Library Services

Abstract

Mobile technologies are seen as an emerging technology that affects individuals and organizations. These technologies are becoming more affordable and accessible over time with advanced designs and computing capabilities. These technologies affect how people use and access the internet, how people create and access content or services, and how people choose to communicate. In addition these technologies have infiltrated the educational sector, and effected how educational institutions such as a university deliver services to academics, students and staff. As these technologies are effecting educational institutions academic libraries that support such educational institutions have had to embrace these technologies by adapting and adding additional services to accommodate users. Examples of such new and emerging services can be seen through the establishment of mobile library websites, mobile library applications available for users from various types of mobile devices such as cell phones, mobile tablets, and e-readers. Libraries are adapting traditional services such as catalogues, resources and other services to be accessible and usable from such devices. This study is focused on a South African academic library, taking a closer look at mobile library service delivery, to investigate whether library services delivered from mobile devices can enhance service delivery. The study is focused on an established mobile library website, and looks at the post implementation of the mobile library website from the perspective of Natural and Agricultural Sciences students at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.