M-Libraries 4

From Margin to Mainstream - Mobile Technologies Transforming Lives and Libraries

Mohamed Ally editor Gill Needham editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Facet Publishing

Published:9th Sep '13

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

M-Libraries 4 cover

An up-to-date showcase of the innovative and inspiring work that libraries are doing across the world to interact with their users and deliver resources via mobile devices.
Mobile technology is now the norm for accessing information for a growing swathe of library users. As mobile devices become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, so users’ expectations of being able to access information and services through them are on the rise. Libraries and information centres must respond to the challenge with ever-more inventive and effective solutions for providing content to users anywhere and anytime using a range of technologies. Librarians have a major role to play in facilitating access and providing the services required in order to access quality information.
This brand new edition of the highly successful M-Libraries series brings together cutting-edge international contributions from the leading experts, practitioners and researchers in the field. Based on the proceedings of the Fourth International M-Libraries Conference held in Milton Keynes in 2012 it showcases the diversity of innovative and inspiring work that libraries are doing across the world to interact with their users and deliver resources via mobile and hand-held devices.
The main strands of discussion are:

  • Imagination – looking at the future of m-libraries
  • Transformation – focusing on the transformation of services, learners or institutions through the introduction of mobile technologies
  • Inspiration – focusing on mobile innovation
  • Implementation – case studies of successful implementation of mobile services
  • Collaboration – a discussion of mobile strategy and ideas.

Readership: Information professionals in all sectors and researchers, educators, technical developers, managers and library professionals. It will also be invaluable for students of library and information science and newcomers to the profession.

In these papers from the 2012 Fourth International M-Libraries Conference, international contributors examine the impact of mobile technologies for accessing information and services in libraries and information centers. Cases from around the world show how libraries are interacting with users and delivering resources via mobile and hand-held devices. Some subjects include the use of iPads for a roving inquiry service, promoting library services through social media, QR codes as teaching tools, designing the library's website, creating a university-wide mobile app, and mobile devices in medical schools. Visual elements include b&w photos, screenshots, process diagrams, and data charts. The book's readership includes students and practitioners in library and information science, along with technical developers. Ally is affiliated with Athabasca University, Canada. Needham is affiliated with the Open University Library and Learning Resources Center, UK

-- Reference and Research Book News

One of the aspects of the text that I most appreciated was that it is a hugely collaborative effort. It gives the heartwarming impression of a profession which is working together to embrace a challenging and exciting development in technology, sharing their successes and pitfalls in an effort to improve the user experience, and to continue to do what libraries have always done – celebrate a plurality of information sources and access methods.

-- Australian Academic & Research Libra

ISBN: 9781856049443

Dimensions: 232mm x 157mm x 16mm

Weight: 189g

224 pages