Awareness and adoption of mobile technologies in the delivery of services in academic libraries in Jordan. A library staff perspective
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-12-2017-0103 |
| Published date | 03 September 2018 |
| Pages | 438-457 |
| Date | 03 September 2018 |
| Author | Faten Hamad,Suleiman Farajat,Amani Hamarsha |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information in society,Information literacy,Library & information services |
Awareness and adoption of
mobile technologies in the
delivery of services in academic
libraries in Jordan
A library staff perspective
Faten Hamad
Department of Library and Information Science, The University of Jordan,
Amman, Jordan
Suleiman Farajat
Department of Tourism Management, The University of Jordan,
Amman, Jordan, and
Amani Hamarsha
The University of Jordan Library, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Abstract
Purpose –Mobile technologies(MT) have been attracting the attentionof academic library stakeholders for
some time, as it is considered a strong communication channel that can offer advanced library services.
Furthermore,MT can offer a number of flexible options for library users. Accordingly,the overarching aim of
thisresearch is to investigatethe potentialsof implementingMT within academiclibraries inpublic universities
in Jordanfrom library staff viewpoint. Exploring librarystaff expectation ofMT to enhance library services is
anotheraim. It is also importantto investigatethe effects of externalfactors such age,job title, educationallevel
andexperience on librarystaff perceptionof MT use and rolein academic librariesin Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach –Using a case study design, a questionnaire was developed and
disseminatedto all library staff (n= 174) within ten public universities.Some 121 responses were received.
Findings –The study indicates that thereis a high level of awareness of theadvantages of using MT in
academic librariesin Jordan. However, the research also revealsthat, although library staff are aware of the
role and value of MT within theacademic library environment, MT has not yet beenfully exploited in these
environmentsin Jordan for various reasons.These include incompatibleinformation technologyinfrastructure
and a lack of training. As a result, these libraries need to invest more in MT and enhance the use of
technologies among their users to raise their performance and the quality of services that they offer. Such
enhancementscould lead to more meaningfulinteractions with usersand a better overall user experience.
Research limitations/implications –This study investigatedawareness levels among library staff of
MT to provide library services. Users perspectives regarding receiving library services on mobile devices
have not been explored.MT should be assessed from user perspective to understand how MT mightenhance
academic library services. Library staff could also be interviewed to explore these issues in closer detail.
Library and InformationScience departments might also upgrade their curricula and include MT application
developmentin library courses.
Originality/value –This study fills a gap in MT researchin the context of library services, as it is the first
such attemptto conduct research into this topic in the MiddleEast in general, and in Jordan specifically.
Keywords Academic libraries, Library services, Technology adoption, Mobile technologies,
Awareness, Service enhancement
Paper type Research paper
GKMC
67,6/7
438
Received1 December 2017
Revised21 January 2018
18February 2018
19March 2018
25April 2018
Accepted1 May 2018
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.67 No. 6/7, 2018
pp. 438-457
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-12-2017-0103
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2514-9342.htm
1. Introduction
Information and communication technology (ICT) advancements, specifically, in terms of
MT, have transformed the way people communicate. Such technologies enhance the way
people access, receive and interact with information, and they provide new channels for
communication. Such new technological advancements provide faster access to an
increasing volume and variety of information. However, the challenge for libraries in this
context is to adjust and adoptto new technologies to enhance routines and services.
According to Bruce (2014), MT (and specifically phones and tablets) has already proven
efficient in all aspects of daily life. Usersare increasingly dependent on mobile devices as a
primary means of carrying out many daily activitiessuch as web navigation, e-mail access,
reading books and interactingwith friends. They seek easy-to-use and instantaneousaccess
to relevant information, and MT is considered a contemporary and popular way to achieve
this goal. Mobile devices provide portable access to information across boundaries,
disciplines and organizations (Singh Negi, 2014). It is the primary interface for users to
access and share information (Saxena and Yadav, 2013). People increasingly want to
complete simple tasks quickly using mobile devices (Wasserman, 2010). Enhancements
to mobile device functionalities and options such as PDF document creation and
Microsoft Office file downloading and sharing, together with the ability to store and
view content, suggests that libraries should evolve their services so that users can easily
obtain what they need (Cummings et al., 2010). There are very few studies that have
critiqued libraries and the use of MT in Jordan and the Middle East. Only one previous
study has examined MT in Jordanian academic libraries, but this study is based on
student perspectives (Jaradat, 2012). This study is, therefore, timely and aims to fill a
specific knowledge gap associated with this research opportunity.
1.1 Research problem
The ultimate goal of libraries is to satisfythe information needs of users. Accordingly, they
need to adopt new technologies and communication channels to better support users to
grant access to information with ease. Theyalso need to transform their services to deliver
information and services to accommodate user demands whenever, wherever and however
they prefer. Nowadays,libraries are increasingly seeking to take advantageof mobile device
capabilities (Barile, 2011). The fact that users carry out so many activities via MT means
that libraries must seek to connect with their users in more meaningful ways. They must
remain relevant in an increasingly mobile society (Saxena and Yadav, 2013). The
availability of Wi-Fi almosteverywhere makes it even easier for libraries to incorporate MT
within their environmentto enhance and promote library services (Rogers, 2009).
MT can offer a number of flexible options for library services. For example, many
universities and colleges have successfully provided library and information services
through MT, and theyare increasingly using MT to offer mobile interfaces,applications and
services. For instance, Oxford University Library provides access to its online library
catalogue, maps, contacts, news, travel information and podcasts through mobile phones
(University of Oxford, 2017). From authors’(both academic staff and library staff)
observation, it is apparent that almost all students use smart phones to instantly access
content, and many expect academic library services to be available through MT
applications. The way academic libraries view MT in their environment is not clear.
Accordingly, this research examines the views of staff from Jordanian academic libraries
and elicits their views on the potential of MT to deliver and/or enhance library services in
Jordan.
Mobile
technologies in
services
439
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