Smart Library Applications in Oman using iBeacon Technology: A Case Study

Abstract

Academic universities, like other institutions, are experiencing some challenges related to the increasing progress in information and communications technology that the world is witnessing, which has had a clear impact on changing the nature and work of libraries and information centers. Smartphones are one of the most important and popular modern communications devices among users. Recently, it has witnessed increasing use of smartphone in various areas of life due to their connectivity to the Internet and the fact that their prices are affordable for everyone. With that consequences it became necessary to exploit this technology in the field of libraries to invest in exchanging information, providing various library services, and keeping up to date with the technological developments. Among a list of cutting edge technologies iBeacon is one of the modern technologies that has experienced an expansion in use on different scales recently including public library. Therefore, this study aimed to apply this iBeacon technology in the library of the University of Nizwa. Since the technology is new in Arab libraries, linking it to a smartphone application to help the users to have easy access to the location of the books on the shelves, as well as informing the user of new arrival /information that make them interested about the library. In addition to receiving notifications of upcoming activities offered by the library and the latest books that have arrived. Further, it will also reduce the burden on the employee by answering the user’s frequent questions on different library services. It will in fact, ensure the better services to the users and help the employee at the same time. Overall, this is will be an easy going path-way to achieve the required satisfaction with the library and its services from the end users and library authority. After extensive research and evaluation; in this paper; a number of suggestions has presented, such as the importance of the institution’s support for the library to adopt various modern technologies to facilitate its services and increase its efficiency through iBeacon.