A paper presented during the International Conference of Libraries (ICOL2012) at Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia on 02-04 July 2012.

1. MOBILE LIBRARIES (M-LIBRARIES) FOR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
1
Shahril Effendi Ibrahim and 2Ahmad Munawar Mohmad Anuar
1
Senior Librarian
Tan Sri Dr Abdullah Sanusi Digital Library
Open University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
2
Librarian
Tan Sri Dr Abdullah Sanusi Digital Library
Open University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
ABSTRACT
This paper highlights academic libraries’ opportunity to extend new type of service to
patrons using mobile devices, which is Mobile Libraries (m-libraries). Concepts and
services provided in m-libraries are discussed. Needs of generation of users who are
using this type of service are also determined. Stages of the development in providing
library services using mobile devices are discussed. Usage of Quick Response Code
(QR-Code) in m-libraries environment is also discussed. Examples of libraries in
Malaysia and abroad which providing this type of service will be highlighted. Findings on
usability testing of m-libraries usage among Open University Malaysia (OUM) community
will be presented. Finally, achievement and future of m-libraries will be discussed.
KEYWORDS: Mobile libraries (m-libraries), Academic libraries, Mobile learning,
QR Codes
INTRODUCTION
When we talk about mobile phones and libraries, these two entities cannot complement
each other. Mobile phones are not allowed to be heard ‘ringing’ in library. ‘Silent mode’
or ‘Flight mode’ is a must to every patron who wants to bring his mobile phone into the
library. Conversation through mobile phone in library is obviously a ‘big no’ to patrons.
However, this scenario is changing. These institutions now find themselves at a
crossroad because this once disdained instrument may now be very important tools by
which libraries expand their reach to existing patron base and increase their appeal to
segments that were previously unreachable (Krishnan, 2011). Searching books through
Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), notifications or alerts of overdue items,
reference services or even accessing e-books and e-journals from mobile phones have
shifted perception of mobile phones in libraries environment.

2. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
USAGE OF MOBILE PHONES
According to ‘Hand Phone Users Survey 2009’ (2010), in year 2009 there were 28.194
millions of mobile phone subscriptions to a population of 28.163 millions. This can be
assumed that each Malaysian adult subscribed at least one mobile phone. According to
Nor Shahriza, Siti Hawa and Ramlah (2006), ‘... the penetration of the mobile phone
uses seems to move across the lower and the minority class boundaries’. Usage of
mobile phones among Malaysians clearly seen across all walks of life in the Malaysian
society. In academic institutions, mobile phone have been used not only as a medium of
communication, but also as a device to retrieve exam result, study loan account balance,
class schedule and exam timetable (Nor Shahriza, Siti Hawa and Ramlah, 2006).
In teaching and learning environment, there is university, such as Open University
Malaysia (OUM,) has implemented mobile technologies. Teaching and learning through
mobile devices or known as ‘Mobile Learning’ has been implemented by the university
since May 2009. 1,863 first-semester learners were enrolled in a course titled, 'Learning
Skills for Open and Distance Learners'. (Zoraini Wati, Lim dan Woo, 2009). Through
Mobile Learning, Short Message Service (SMS) are sent to learners as a complement of
the three primary learning modes, which are, reading the module, interacting during face-
to-face tutorials and discussing in online forums. The use of Facebook enabled the
community of learners to interact with each other as well as with the mobile learning
team members while Twitter was used to archive the SMSes sent (Open University
Malaysia, 2010).
MOBILE LIBRARIES (M-LIBRARIES)
M-libraries are libraries that deliver information and learning materials on mobile devices
such as cell phones, PDAs, palm top computers and smart phones to allow access by
anyone from anywhere and at any time (Needham and Ally, 2008). This will result that
the library services and information in the library are able to be accessed anywhere and
anytime using these mobile devices. M-libraries have make libraries become more
ubiquitous to users. The services can be as simple as sending text message alerts about
reservations of available books, or as complex as the Athabasca University Library’s
Digital Reading room, which allows readers to access eBooks and journal articles
through their library’s subscriptions on any mobile devices (Needham and Ally, 2008).

3. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
Technically, developing a mobile interface for Open University Malaysia (OUM) Digital
Library involves programming schematics and several libraries. Notably the WURFL API
and Drupal Module, the Mobile Tools. Using WURFL API is a smarter solution for
detecting any mobile devices and devices capabilities. Since there are hundreds of
devices and each devices may have hundreds of properties, using generic template for
mobile devices may not be enough. This is where WURFL API plays its role:
 Browsers are different, but they also have many features in common with one
another.
 Browsers/devices coming from the same manufacturer are most often an
evolution of the same hardware/software. In other words, differences between,
say, a iPhone 3 and a iPhone 3S are minimal.
 Devices from different manufacturers may run the same software. For example,
the Android OS runs on devices from Motorola, HTC, Samsung, ZTE, Huawei
and others.
WURFL allows any device to load any web page based on its capabilities. For example,
Nokia shipped several subversion of the 7110 model. Some of those did not support
WML tables and some did. It is not safe to assume all devices support WML tables by
default, as the content will not be displayed as expected (ScientiaMobile, 2012).
Having different devices with different capabilities in mind, OUM Digital Library makes
use of WURFL API, Drupal Mobile Tools Module and conditional CSS to cater each
device with different capabilities. More powerful device will have extended display such
as better button and dialog boxes and the less powerful devices will have lighter theme
to reduce CPU load. All in all, these Mobile Web Toolkits make OUM Digital Library
mobile friendly.
According Vollmer (2010), libraries can provide the following mobile services through m-
libraries:
 Mobile online public access catalog (OPAC)
 Mobile library instruction
 Mobile library databases
 Library Short Message Service (SMS) notifications
 SMS reference
 A webcan so users can check on congestion in the library
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4. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
With all or almost all of the services available via patrons’ mobile devices, information on
libraries will be always in their accessed. Information on library physically, such as
availability of discussion rooms and PC terminals in the libraries, which can be known
instantly in their mobile devices, will indirectly increase the number of usage and visit to
library.
PATRON PROFILE
The invention of mobile technologies applications should allowed and encourages
librarians to use mobile devices as a tool to reach students or users especially whom
stay outside or far from campus. Nowadays, library users’ information needs are
different. Most of library users now have mobile phone on their table while study or doing
their works. They require information quickly and preferably within easy reach. Michelle
Jacobs (Jacobs, 2009), labels this type of users as Information New Generations (ING).
The 3 elements that must be considered in fulfilling information needs of this type of
users are:
 The service must be easy to implement, staff and use.
 It must be served on a platform that is already commonplace
 It must be relevant and meet the current needs of the ING
In short, ING users, who are the most number of users of m-libraries, need m-libraries
which are easy to be used without complicated platforms and software to be installed.
Information in m-libraries interface should be well-organised and simple.
STAGES OF M-LIBRARIES APPLICATION
Technological development for m-libraries must be implemented in phases or stages in
accordance to organisational capabilities and users’ readiness in order to give impact of
the technology. According to Krishnan (2011), there are 3 stages in application of m-
libraries in academic institutions. The first stage is when academic institutions provide
choice to users to receive notice from library. Notices such as on overdue books and
reserved books through interlibraryloan will be delivered via SMS. The notices are
delivered automatically through Library Management System (LMS). Perpustakaan Tun
Ser Lanang, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), is one of academic institutions
which practice this stage of m-libraries.

5. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
Stage two of m-libraries is when a library initiated reference services via SMS. This
service is useful for libraries that receive a high volume of simple inquiries, such as
opening hour, location of books and dictionary definitions. Other form of reference
services which can be sent through mobile phone are chat, instant messaging and e-
mail. There are also many cases that users use mobile phone reference services even
when they are physically within the library. List of libraries which offer SMS reference
service can be accessed at:
http://libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Libraries_Offering_SMS_Reference_Services
Third stage of m-libraries is when the library provides OPAC through mobile devices
(mobile OPAC). Users can determine whether a particular book is available in the library
or otherwise by using their mobile phones. Among libraries which applied OPAC that can
be accessed via mobile devices are Ball State University (BSU), National Library Board
(NLB) of Singapore and North Corilina State University (NCSU). Libraries have also tried
to offer value-added services so that a mobile OPAC can offer more than just an item
search service. NLB, for instance, has an iPhone app called Library in Your Pocket,
which allowed users to search for a title and send a sms with the book details to
themselves. The system also allowed users to find out which branch in its network had
the title and enabled them to place a reservation for the item (Krishnan, 2011).
However, many libraries have gone even further by implementing not only mobile OPAC
interface, but also electronic databases through m-libraries. Electronic databases now
can be accessed and viewed on the small screens of mobile devices such as smart
phones and other handheld devices. One of the libraries which allows electronic
database to be accessed via mobile devices is Open University Malaysia Digital Library.
The library portal not only providing OPAC via mobile devices, but also article journal can
be accessed through mobile devices such as in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
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6. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
Figure 1 Figure 2
OUM’s mobile for article journal
However, the number of databases which are mobile enabled is still limited. Among
databases which are mobile enabled are SciVerse mobile apps, CINAHL Plus,
EBSCHOhost Mobile, Lexis-Nexis with free i-Phone app and currently released, Emerald
Management Plus.
QR-CODE
QR-Code is one of the factors in attracting patrons to use m-libraries. This printed two-
dimensional bar code is readable by the cameras on most of mobile devices including
smart phones. These mobile devices, then, will translate and display the information in
the QR-Code. This information is normally a URL that the mobile devices then use to pull
up a library’s web page or portal. In short, in m-libraries environment and application,
QR-Code acts as an authentication entry before one can enter the library portal via
mobile devices. Figure 3 is an example of QR-Code.

7. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
Figure 3: Example of QR-Code
Besides as authentication entry, QR-Code also being used in libraries on library
catalogue. QR-Codes are attached to library catalogue records, thereby allowing
students to capture bibliographic and location information on their mobiles (Robinson,
2010). QR-Codes are also can be applied during literacy lessons, where links to other
media such as YouTube videos placed on handouts.
USABILITY TESTING
In January 2012, the OUM Library has conducted usability testing of mobile version of its
website. The respondents indicated that the main areas of the website which they would
like to access via their mobile devices are the library’s Contact Information (86.5%), Loan
Details (79%) and Search the Library (OPAC) (68.6%). Hence, the OUM Library has
evolved and changed the layout of the mobile version of the library website according the
above findings as in Figure 4 and Figure 5.
7

8. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
Figure 4: Before Figure 5: Now
Links for ‘Contact’ and ‘My Library Card’ (Loan details) have been moved to main page
as these links are 2 main links visited by most patrons via mobile libraries.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
How many hits on the mobile sites before you consider a success? As to what
constitutes success, there are many ways to determine and measure the use m-libraries.
According to Griffey, it’s probably best to think about the number in terms of percentage
of total visitors to mobile sites. For a centre of a wired and connected community such as
the public libraries and academic libraries, something between 2 to 5 percentages might
consider as success (Griffey, 2010).
On reference service via mobile such as chat, instant messaging and e-mail, to
determine the level of success is similar to judging the success of any reference service.
Number of users in using the service and percentage of questions answered are some of
the indicators to determine the success of the services.
Usage of libraries via mobile may also increase one visit to library portal via PCs or
laptops. According to Usability Testing conducted by OUM Library, 92% of the

9. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
respondents said that their visit to library portal via PCs or laptops increase after they
started accessing libraries via mobile. Hence, in general, the implementation of m-
libraries will enhance the usage of library portal.
THE FUTURE
In next five to ten years, as mobile technology become more powerful and less
expensive, location-based services and ubiquitous connectivity are two main areas that
should be focused. As every mobile device is going to be GPS enabled, m-libraries will
be able to provide services based on location of their patrons. Availability of a particular
book, for instance, will be based on the nearest branch library and not based on Main
Library. This will result a personalised mobile libraries to patrons. On ubiquitous
connectivity, the core services of most libraries, reference and circulation, have the
potential to be distributed to point-of-need services that are no longer attached to a
physical space (Griffey, 2010). More and more reference queries will be via mobile
devices as patrons need information instantly even when they are mobile. Mobile
checkout also is a possible in the future. Patrons can check items out to themselves
using their mobiles while standing between the book shelves.
CONCLUSION
In line with advancement of mobile technologies, libraries must fully utilise this m-
libraries technologies in order to provide a wider and more ubiquitous access to libraries.
The sharp increase in the use of Wi-Fi enabled phones, for example, has reduced the
cost of accessing m-libraries to virtually zero. Increasing number of patrons which
consist of new generations such as Gen-Y and ING users will increase the demand of
accessing libraries via mobile. The increasing size and connectivity of social network
through mobile also provide opportunity for libraries to promote and increase the usage
of m-libraries. Libraries will be losing out on a significant portion of future patron base if
they do not dive in to mobile world now.
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10. Mobile Libraries (m-libraries) for Academic Institutions
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