m-libraries

Last month saw the release of a report into m-libraries, and this month there is an international conference in Canada on m-libraries.

m-libraries (or mobile libraries) is a phrase to describe the use of mobile computing to deliver library content and communicate with library users. Keren Mills is part of the Acadia Programme at Cambridge University. This programme is a three-year funded project looking into the role of the library in a digital age. Last month Keren published a brief report (M-Libraries: Information on the move) looking at the use of mobile technology within university libraries. The report investigated use of mobile technology an how this could be integrated into current practise. Keren highlighted six recommendation from the report on mobile usage:

1. Piloting text alerting services
2. Piloting a text reference service
3. Providing a mobile OPAC interface
4. Ensuring that the library website is accessible and will resize to smaller screens
5. Providing audio tours of the library
6. Allowing mobile phone use in libraries
   

The m-libraries conference in Canada (The Second International m-Libraries Conference) is/was held over the 23rd and 24th June 2009. This conference aims to research and promote mobile technology use within libraries by bringing together "researchers, technical developers, managers and library practitioners to exchange experience and expertise". Presentations and multimedia downloads are available directly from the website.

The use of mobile technology with libraries follows the ideas behind the 'Edgeless University'. This is a report from JISC that discusses the need for Universities to be more flexible and innovative in the way they deliver education and the related services by utilising technology.

Further reading from a huge array of resources on the m-libraries wiki