WeChat Library: a new mode of mobile library service
| Published date | 06 February 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-12-2015-0248 |
| Pages | 198-208 |
| Date | 06 February 2017 |
| Author | Qunyi Wei,Yang Yang |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
WeChat Library: a new mode of
mobile library service
Qunyi Wei
Library, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China, and
Yang Yang
School of Economics and Business Administration, Chongqing University,
Chongqing, China
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to introduce a new mode of mobile library service, named “WeChat Library”,
developed under the WeChat (social media platform) public service platform. The design and realization of
WeChat Library is also presented with Chongqing University Library taken as the example.
Design/methodology/approach –This study designed a new mobile library service system, WeChat
Library of Chongqing University Library, analyzed its construction cost and usage statistics and discussed
the advantages of the new service mode.
Findings –Investigation results showed that 84.6 per cent of the “985” universities opened up WeChat
Libraries, which signied that WeChat Library has become one of the important mobile service modes for
Chinese university libraries. WeChat Library received high appreciation from the patrons; in 20 months of
operation, 20.3 per cent of patrons in Chongqing University had used WeChat Library. The ve most
commonly used services are OPAC retrieval, items borrowed, personal center, resource discovery and
announcements. WeChat Library was found to have many advantages, such as low development cost,
automatic cross-platform service, adaptive screen, low acceptance cost, easier promotion, strong user
viscosity, strong interactivity and real-time consulting.
Practical implications –The functional design and technological architecture of WeChat Library was
presented with Chongqing University Library taken as the example. The technical realization of several
unique services, namely, QR code access, space reservation and overdue reminders, was also demonstrated.
The study will provide favorable suggestions and references for other libraries that have also launched the
WeChat Library.
Originality/value –The mainstream service mode of mobile libraries is application for mobile terminals
(APP). Although mobile services are applied extensively in China, numerous small- and medium-sized
libraries are still unable to provide mobile services for patrons primarily because the investment is too high to
bear for some libraries. Therefore, mobile library services urgently need a more economical model of mobile
services. The most prominent advantages of WeChat Library are its low development cost and low technology
threshold. WeChat Library can provide a better solution for mobile library services.
Keywords Social media, Mobile library, Mobile service, WeChat, WeChat Library
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The 36th China Internet Network Development Statistic Report issued by CNNIC (2015)
revealed that mobile phone ownership in China reached 594 million as of June 2015, and,
among these cyber citizens, those surng the internet increased from 85.8 per cent in
December 2014 to 88.9 per cent. China’s mobile internet era has opened up massively and
mobile internet applications have emerged from this explosive growth. Smartphones, tablet
The authors acknowledge the funding support from the National Social Science Fund of China
(No. 12XTQ003).
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
EL
35,1
198
Received 15 December 2015
Accepted 31 March 2016
TheElectronic Library
Vol.35 No. 1, 2017
pp.198-208
©Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-12-2015-0248
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