Providing Information through Smart Platforms: An Applied Study on Academic Libraries in Saudi Universities

Abstract

Information services using smart platforms have become one of the demands of this era since the much of information centres' users prefer using them for their speed and simplicity, capacity and efficiency in collecting vast amounts of information that meets the user's needs. Smartphones have spread out globally in a dramatic form, which means that libraries and information centres are now facing tremendous challenges to meet the needs of its users.
 This study aims at highlighting the efforts of the Library Information Services Specialists' of providing information services by the use of smart platforms that have been applied in Saudi Academic Libraries and Centres, which have delivered the said services. The main requirements for offering information services via smart platforms in the academic libraries and Information Centers were considered the subject of the study (Saudi academic Library and Resource centres at Saudi Universities). However, the significance of the study relies on empowering the researchers and students to have the means of free access to the research, studies, and all sources of digital information via their smartphones.
 The study consists of two parts, applied and theoretical fields in its methodology. The implementation of the applied research involved conducting a survey among the information services providers at the Saudi academic Libraries and Resource centres at Saudi Universities. Several users of the said libraries have conducted well-planned interviews with 156 information professionals and researchers to identify their views, insights, and opinions on the benefits of offering information services via smart platforms. The theoretical part took from the resources’, references and websites that discussed the aforementioned topic. Also addressed were its obstacles facing the said services in the era of information technology as the study sought to find out the answer.