Assessing Adoption and Implementation of Mobile Technology-Based Library Services in Academic Libraries

Abstract

Mobile Technologies (m-tech) have been embraced by stakeholders of academic libraries globally in recent times as a medium that can offer convenient library services to library patrons. This study was to ascertain the potentials of adopting and implementing m-tech based library services in academic libraries in Ghana. The study was a descriptive survey and the mixed-method approach was used. The major findings were that there were a strong awareness and deep appreciation for the use of m-tech library services among library management and students, however, m-tech based library services have not been implemented in the libraries due to diverse reasons. These include inadequate ICT infrastructure, skills gap as a result of lack of training, lack of policy framework for the adoption of the technology and clearing the hurdle of convincing university management to accept the technology. As a result, it was recommended that the libraries need to invest more in ICT infrastructure specifically m-tech infrastructure and build on their human resource base through recruitment and professional training on emerging technologies