A complete guide to the process of planning, developing, and launching mobile library applications.

Just as Andrew Carnegie’s support changed the landscape of public libraries in America, Apple’s launch of the iPhone on June 29, 2007 forever altered how people expected to interact with services. Libraries, like every other kind of organization, must now make their services—not just their catalogs—available on an array of mobile devices. Mobile Library Servicesprovides 11 proven ways to reach out to mobile users and increase your library’s relevance to their day-to-day lives. Librarians detail how they created mobile apps to how they went mobile on a shoestring budget. Written by public, academic, and special librarians, these 11 best practices offer models for libraries of every type and size.

With the rapidly increasing use of smartphones and tablets in the library to access information; as well as the growing role of social media, blogging, and e-learning instruction, the identity of libraries themselves are being transformed. Every function of the library, such as customer service, can be improved with technology. Why reinvent the wheel? Instead, you can now implement or expand services while knowing how other libraries have met their user needs.

How are libraries meeting the evolving needs of mobile users? According to comScore, the smartphone is in the “late majority stage of technology adoption curve.” And people don’t turn to their devices only for quick facts when on the move: 93 percent of mobile users access the Internet from home on their devices; what’s more, Pew reports that 63 percent of Americans age 16 and over would use app-based access to library materials and programs if they were available. In this issue of Library Technology Reports, Kim shows how leading libraries are meeting these evolving needs. Topics include: 6 steps to improving your mobile website Analysis of the advantages and challenges of the responsive Web Comparison of user perceptions of web apps and native apps Visual review of the changes in the libraries mobile web implementation since 2010 Results of MIT surveys of more than 15,000 patrons in 2008 and 2011 Tips for simplifying mobile’s complexity

An up-to-date showcase of the innovative and inspiring work that libraries are doing across the world to interact with their users and deliver resources via mobile devices. This brand new edition of the highly successful M-Libraries series brings together cutting-edge international contributions from the leading experts, practitioners and researchers in the field. Based on the proceedings of the Fifth International M-Libraries Conference held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2014, it illustrates the diversity of innovative and inspiring work that libraries are doing across the world to interact with their users and deliver resources via mobile and hand-held devices. With a foreword from Joan K Lippincott and 22 chapters from 13 countries, as far apart as India and Germany, Hong Kong and Zimbabwe, Scotland and Bangladesh, the book explores the following themes: - Best practice for the use of mobile technologies in libraries - Challenges and strategies involved in embracing mobile innovation for libraries - The impact of ubiquitous and wearable technologies on the future of libraries - Harnessing the future for teaching and learning with mobile technologies - Mobile technologies enhancing information access for all and pursuing the millennium development goals. As the world becomes more mobile, users will access information using mobile technologies. Hence, libraries have to make the transition to provide mobile service. M-Libraries 5 will help libraries to develop adaptable and efficient mobile services so they can meet the needs of the current and new generations of users. Readership: Information professionals in all sectors and researchers, educators, technical developers, managers and library professionals. It will also be invaluable for students of library and information science and newcomers to the profession.