The mobile future of university libraries and an analysis of the Turkish case

Abstract

The mobile future of university libraries and an analysis of the Turkish casePurpose -Smartphones will very soon become the standard means by which the Internet is accessed, and the rates of connection from mobile devices will supercede those which are computer-based. The hypothesis of this study is that the university libraries of the future will experience greater access from mobile networks, and that this tendency will also occur in Turkey.Design/methodology/approach -In the study, both domestic and foreign literature surveys were undertaken to determine which mobile technology library services are offered in university libraries. 30 random central libraries of both private and state universities were selected from across the 7 regions of Turkey. To gather data, a 26-question electronic survey was generated and e-mailed to the library managers. The questions were based on findings regarding the mobile technology services provided by university libraries around the world. Findings -By examining the survey results, it was determined that Turkish university libraries utilise a comparable level of mobile technology, and demonstrate a similar level of care with regard to the services they offer. There are mobile sites (separate sites or mobile sites as applications), mobile library catalogues, SMS services, chatrooms ,consultations via IM tools, mobile device lending services, and augmented reality and QR code applications. Research limitations/implications . In Turkey, the structures of university libraries operate under variable conditions due a lack of established standards. This causes negative results for the delivery of library services. For this reason, university library standards should be set as soon as reasonable practicable, considering the social/economic and cultural structure of the country. Practical implications -Due to the transformative effect technology and the Internet have had on services, "information and communication technologies infrastructure" has been added as a sixth element to the five traditional library items: building, budget, personnel, collection, and users. Globalisation through the web has brought about the individualisation of services, and the slogan "content is king" has been changed to "the customer experience is king". Fundamental library services are being adapted to allow mobile technology access, and this approach best reflects the new slogan. Therefore, the university library of the future may well be one which is entirely based on mobile technology.Originality/value -The hypothesis of this study is that a mobile device-accessible university library will be the model of the future, and to research any evidence of this tendency in Turkey. This study is also meaningful because there have not been any studies of Turkish university libraries in terms of the services they offer to users of mobile devices. This paper is the first time that a comprehensive study has been made of current mobile technology-based services, and is also the first time that the applications of Turk...

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