Library services through mobile technologies: Some ...

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© ELPES-2015 Library services through mobile technologies: Some Issue& Challenges Shiba Bhue 1 and Nabakumar Bhoi 2 1Librarian,Kendriya Vidyala INS Chilka,Odisha,India 2Asst. Librarian,Rajiv Gandhi University of Konwledge Technologies-Nuzvid,Andhra Pradesh,India Email:[email protected],[email protected]

Abstracts-The development of mobile technologies has generated a considerable amount to change in shifting the academic environment from traditional settings to mobile learning settings.. Cellular phone access rates are much higher than broadband internet access via computers. Mobile technology has been more widely and quickly adopted than any other technology ever. New applications are being developed and introduced on a daily basis. This article will discuss a few of the new and exciting services libraries are offering on mobile devices. Keywords: mobile technology, library services, Optimized websites

1. Introduction Mobile devices and services offer tremendous flexibility for those who want to take advantage of library services. With a simple 3G connection, a user can present anywhere irrespective of his/her geographical location can access e-books and multimedia content from a local library. Today mobile phones are becoming integral part of everyday life like food, cloth and shelter and it is changing the way one connects and interacts with the world. In this changing scenario, Mobile Technology will be of great help to libraries towards strengthening their relationship and providing enhanced user oriented services to existing users.

2. Library services through mobile technologies 2.1) Information alert service Libraries may provide the alerts on latest news, events and notices via SMS and MMS to users wherever they might be go. The users can get notified instantly with notice alerts such as alerts on bringing new books to the notice of users for suggestion, intimation of arrival of indented documents by users, informing availability of reserved documents for collection, appraising about overdue books, outstanding fines, reminders to return library items, renew books ,library circulars-journals subscribed, change in timings, information about important

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events, loan request etc such alert notifications can be generated automatically using integrated library management system/software.SMS messages can be sent to group of users simultaneously through many free applications, and intermediary/clients. 2.2) Ask to Librarian Service If the library receives a high volume of enquiries that require brief responses, such as dictionary definitions, facts or service information then Librarians can provide instant answers, and links to articles/references in real time. Library user can talk with the librarian if they have any query. 2.3) Virtual/Audio tour to library Library users, who don’t have time or inclination to attend an on-site workshop, can get access to library on their mobile device .Audio/Virtual library tours can be produced fairly ,quickly ,inexpensively ,and could reduce the amount of staff time spent helping new users to orient themselves in the library and explaining the facilities available. It can be easily downloaded to mobile. These services bringing the new users to libraries and also help the remotely located or users located beyond geographical locations. 2.4) E-resources with mobile interface It offers access to a variety of databases and digital resources such as e-books, e-journals, web databases, dissertations, audio books streaming music, films, images and article databases which can be used on mobile. These collections can either be downloaded from library websites on user’s own mobile device or libraries lend mobile devices with the collection already on them. A large collection of audio books both free and subscription based services are available for download and also transferable to mobile device. Libraries can make use of multimedia messaging service (MMS) on mobile devices to share photos, videos and audio. 2.5) Access to Online Bibliographic Databases. Libraries are providing access to a variety of its resources and databases. Users can just enter search terms and see results that are designed specifically for mobile viewing. This service include OPAC(online public access catalogue), integrated search, and original document search .Example OCLC’s World Cat Mobile application allows user to search for and find books and other materials available in their local libraries through a web application they can access from smart phones. 2.6) CAS/SDI services in mobile End user is getting current awareness services and selective dissemination of information

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2.6.1) Current awareness service (CAS)

Current awareness service has been wide in the role for keeping the users up to date in their areas of interest. Libraries now compile current awareness bulletins using predefined search strategy and running on the databases .A large number of web portals offerings CAS through Listserve, Web blog, webzines ,e-newsletters etc. 2.6.2) Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) SDI is an alerting service which informs the users that some documents are available in the library ,which may satisfy their requirements. Alerts can be received through a number of ways, including email, RSS feeds,voice mail, instant messaging and text messaging. 2.7) Service for positioning of holdings When a user looks into the holding information of a book through MOPAC, the service will convert into the shelf-map which indicates the shelf position of the book. In this manner ,the patron can have an idea about how to reach the shelf of the book from the current position. 2.8) QR Codes on mobiles A QR code is a matrix barcode readable by smart phones and mobile phones with cameras. They are sometimes referred to as 2D codes , 2D barcodes or mobile codes. The QR code typically appears as a small white square with black geometric shapes, though colored and even branded QR codes are now being used. QR codes can hold much more information than a regular barcode. The information encoded in a QR code can be a URL, a phone number an SMS, a V-card or any text. It can be used a faster, an error free way to retrieve information through mobile apps. 2.9) Integration of mobile number with library automation softwares. Some software can provide the option to send the SMS service to the user regarding return, reservation, overdue notices etc.eg. Libsys 0.7 upload the database in the excel sheet from the SMS software and send the bulk SMS at the same time to many users.

3.0 Mobile Optimized websites

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A mobile optimized website means, It has been designed and formatted to read and navigate easily on the small screens of mobile devices.A few features of a mobile optimized websites: a. b. c. d.

It’s smaller Has less detailed text-bloocks and focuses on key points. Has larger navigation buttons Fewer graphics With the better use of Internet through mobile ,libraries are required to restore their web pages as mobile optimized interactive web pages to provide dynamic information services to users on a 24×7 basis via mobile device.

4.0 challenges of the library services on mobile. Some of the problems can’t be avoided on library service on mobile. 4.1 Small Screen Size: it is a major concern to view the standard size or text of the content. 4.2 Broken Pages: On Mobile devices a single page is viewed as a broken pages as compare to desktop. It may cause irritation and also slows navigation. 4.3 Speed: The speed of the service is slow on the mobile devices for navigation. 4.4 Compressed page: Many pages, in their conversion to mobile format, are squeezed into an order different from how these viewed on a desktop computer. 4.5 Size of messages: Many devices have limits on the number of character that can be sent in an email message. 4.6 Cost: The cost involved on access and bandwidth charges for mobile devices are high.

5.0 Conclusion Application of mobile technologies can support learning and teaching process by making library resources more ubiquitous, by bringing new users to library through increased accessibility to the resources and by creating a new way to enhance connections between user and library. Library Information professionals should increase various skills on mobile operating system, able to develop and maintain online content, troubleshooting on mobile-based software and skill s involving to promote mobile library service to users.

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References [1] Use of Mobile and Wireless Technology in Indian Libraries by Mohan Lal Viswakarma, Shyam Lal Mautya,Shivani Govil. [2]Needham,G. and Ally,M eds.2008.”M-libraries on the move to provide virtual access”London:Facet. [3]Reza B’Far foreward by Fielding,Mobile Computing Principles : Designing and developing Mobile Applications with UML and XML ,Pp 649,2005,ISBN 0-521-69623-2 [4]Asokek Talukder,Mobile computing:Technology ,Applications and services Creation,2 nd Ed,Pp145,2010,ISBN 978-0-07-014457-5. [5]Kim,S.H.,Mims, C. & Holmes, K.P.(2006).An Introduction to Current Trends and Benefits of Mobile Wireless Technology Use in Higher Education.AACeJournal,14(1),77-100. [6]M. Surulinathi, B. Neelkandan and N. Amsaveni(2010),Mobile Technology and Library Services in Bharthidan University,National conference on Next Generation Digital Libraries and Web Technologies,August 19-21,pp.5.108-5.114 [7]Malathy,S.,&Kantha,P.(2013,September).A application of Mobile Technologies to Librarie.DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology,33(5),361-366. [8]Lorraine,P.& Boon, L (2011).Student attitudes towards mobile library services for smartphones.Library High Tech,29(3),412-423. [9]Retrieved from http://www.nla.gov.au/mobile-strategy accessed on 05.01.2015 [10]Retrieved from http:www.cincinnatilibrary.og/mobile/resources.html accessed on 05.01.2015 [11] Retrieved from https://reearch.wsulibs.wsu.ed/. accessed on 03.01.2015 [12] Retrieved from shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/ accessed on 03.01.2015

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