TY - JOUR
T1 - Awareness and adoption of mobile technologies in the delivery of services in academic libraries in Jordan
T2 - A library staff perspective
AU - Hamad, Faten
AU - Farajat, Suleiman
AU - Hamarsha, Amani
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited.
PY - 2018/10/18
Y1 - 2018/10/18
N2 - Purpose: Mobile technologies (MT) have been attracting the attention of 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 this research is to investigate the potentials of implementing MT within academic libraries in public universities in Jordan from library staff viewpoint. Exploring library staff expectation of MT to enhance library services is another aim. It is also important to investigate the effects of external factors such age, job title, educational level and experience on library staff perception of MT use and role in academic libraries in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach: Using a case study design, a questionnaire was developed and disseminated to all library staff (n = 174) within ten public universities. Some 121 responses were received. Findings: The study indicates that there is a high level of awareness of the advantages of using MT in academic libraries in Jordan. However, the research also reveals that, although library staff are aware of the role and value of MT within the academic library environment, MT has not yet been fully exploited in these environments in Jordan for various reasons. These include incompatible information technology infrastructure 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 enhancements could lead to more meaningful interactions with users and a better overall user experience. Research limitations/implications: This study investigated awareness 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 might enhance academic library services. Library staff could also be interviewed to explore these issues in closer detail. Library and Information Science departments might also upgrade their curricula and include MT application development in library courses. Originality/value: This study fills a gap in MT research in the context of library services, as it is the first such attempt to conduct research into this topic in the Middle East in general, and in Jordan specifically.
AB - Purpose: Mobile technologies (MT) have been attracting the attention of 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 this research is to investigate the potentials of implementing MT within academic libraries in public universities in Jordan from library staff viewpoint. Exploring library staff expectation of MT to enhance library services is another aim. It is also important to investigate the effects of external factors such age, job title, educational level and experience on library staff perception of MT use and role in academic libraries in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach: Using a case study design, a questionnaire was developed and disseminated to all library staff (n = 174) within ten public universities. Some 121 responses were received. Findings: The study indicates that there is a high level of awareness of the advantages of using MT in academic libraries in Jordan. However, the research also reveals that, although library staff are aware of the role and value of MT within the academic library environment, MT has not yet been fully exploited in these environments in Jordan for various reasons. These include incompatible information technology infrastructure 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 enhancements could lead to more meaningful interactions with users and a better overall user experience. Research limitations/implications: This study investigated awareness 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 might enhance academic library services. Library staff could also be interviewed to explore these issues in closer detail. Library and Information Science departments might also upgrade their curricula and include MT application development in library courses. Originality/value: This study fills a gap in MT research in the context of library services, as it is the first such attempt to conduct research into this topic in the Middle East in general, and in Jordan specifically.
KW - Academic libraries
KW - Awareness
KW - Library services
KW - Mobile technologies
KW - Service enhancement
KW - Technology adoption
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U2 - 10.1108/GKMC-12-2017-0103
DO - 10.1108/GKMC-12-2017-0103
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064224051
SN - 2514-9342
VL - 67
SP - 438
EP - 457
JO - Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication
JF - Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication
IS - 6-7
ER -