Mobile information services in libraries: a review of current trends in delivering information

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to review the literature on mobile information services. It considers only peer-reviewed papers published in English between 2004 and 2014. Design/methodology/approach – The method of systematic review was adopted to collect and analyse the relevant literature. The searches were conducted during the last week of July 2014 on different databases, and in total, 76 papers were considered after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings – Seven themes emerged: “introducing mobile libraries”, “reporting on current trends”, “exploring users’ perceptions of libraries’ mobile services”, “presenting libraries’ mobile services”, “presenting mobile technology use in libraries”, “reporting case studies” and “reporting on evaluation of libraries’ mobile services”. It is evident that research on mobile libraries is very recent and focuses mainly on raising the Library and Information Science profession’s awareness of providing mobile information services. Research limitations – This literature review focused only on peer-reviewed papers published between 2004 and 2014 in English. Originality/value – This paper summarises and critically presents the relevant literature on libraries offering mobile information services. It informs libraries and librarians’ understanding of recent developments in mobile technology for the successful provision of information services.