Mobile Technologies

Mobile Technology in Libraries

By Karissa Chou

 

Mobile technology has become an integral part of libraries. Users can access catalogs remotely using applications like SORA. The library of congress has their database accessible from a mobile device as well.

 

Cloud software is a popular means of making catalogs of various libraries available online. Many books are available to borrow in an audible version. Pay services are also available such as Audible by Amazon where everything in their catalog is an audio version. The American Foundation for the Blind, AFB, offers a magnitude of information about mobile apps for the visually impaired. Braille and Audio Reading Download, BARD, is a mobile app which offers books, magazines, and music scores on audio and braille. Apple offers an iBook app which is completely accessible using voice over screen reader. Barnes and Nobles has eNewspapers and eMagazines using the Nook app. The device does have the ability to change the font size and contrast, it also connects with a screen reader capability. Unfortunately, the visually impaired report the mobile apps are not the most intuitive and require further advancements. Many have expressed a desire for an app which includes both reading of ebooks and a notetaking feature. They want more control and flexibility over the applications which are available for mobile devices. While the technology has come a long way there is still room for growth.

Kumar, P J Rosario Vasantha. “Impact of Mobile Technology in Library Services.” IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology, www.ijlsit.org/html-article/16828. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025. 

Robin Canuel              Chad Crichton, et al. Mobile Technology and Academic Libraries: Innovative Services for Research and Learning, alastore.ala.org/content/mobile-technology-and-academic-libraries-innovative-services-research-and-learning. Accessed 4 May 2025.

“Accessworld News.” The American Foundation for the Blind, Oct. 2013, www.afb.org/aw/14/10/15746.

“Accessing and Reading Mainstream Electronic Books (Ebooks) and Magazines.” The American Foundation for the Blind, www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/using-technology/using-technology-reading-solutions-people-visual-1. Accessed 4 May 2025.