Introduction to m-libraries

m-libraries defined

m-libraries are libraries that provide services to patrons on the move.13 These services are usually provided through a variety of handheld, portable devices, on the mobile web (web access through mobile devices) or through SMS (short message service, a method of sending text messages to mobile devices). 10 Some example of these mobile devices are cellphones, iPhones, and BlackBerries.

Potential users of m-libraries

There are 227 million mobile subscribers in the US, and about 20 million mobile subscribers in Canada. In Canada, in Q1 of 2009, 51% of cellphone subscribers had used SMS services on their phone in the past month, and 19% had accessed the internet. In the US, these numbers were 58% and 20% respectively.16,17

A Pew research report on the future of the internet predicts that by 2020, mobile devices will be the primary way to access the internet for most people around the world.22 Even in July 2008, according to a US survey done by the Nielson Company, there was a great diversity in mobile web users. There were as many teenagers as people over 55, as many users under the age of 35 as those over the age of 35, only slightly more male users (56%), a quarter of users with reported household incomes of $100,000, and a similar proportion of users with reported incomes of under $50,000 (Nielson, 2008).17

Access device of m-library services

A mobile device is a handheld, portable communication tool. Compared to a home computer, a mobile device has a smaller keyboard, a smaller screen, a user who is often multi-tasking and out of the office, and an internet connection which is often slower. Mobile devices often also have cameras and GPS. Finally, unlike home computers, many mobile devices do not allow a user to view more than one window at a time.10,21

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