Karen Coombs' article, "The Mobile iRevolution," which appeared in the Fall 2008 edition of Library Journal, is yet another article emphasizing the importance of mobile devices and libraries. Coombs mentions how that when a book search is accessible on an iPhone, the patron could then be connected immediately to the closest library that has the book. She mentions how an "app" for OCLC and WorldCat is long overdue, and could prove to be extremely useful and valuable to patrons. This was an interesting idea, because although there has been a lot of discussion regarding the mobilization of content, there hasn't been that much discussion (besides QR codes) of how the mobile device can be seen as a vehicle for connection between the patron and the physical library.
Coombs also discusses the possibility of the iPhone (which seems to be the mobile device of choice) to act as an embedded 'librarian.' Like I mentioned in an earlier review, an embedded librarian is one who is outside the traditional locations, such as in coffee shops or student unions. Coombs says "They can allow libraries and librarians to stretch their presence beyond the library building and website and into user spaces" (p. 28). This is a key statement because, with the advent of everything digital, and the fear of the loss of the physical library, librarians must do all they can to extend their services and their expertise outside the library walls.
It seems that a popular notion in our information society is the ability to have instant access to any type of information at any time. The mobile device is a premier tool to realize this aspiration. Although cost is a large drawback of mobile devices to be actually present in the library, when many people have mobile devices of their own already, why not encourage users to use them to connect with library resources? Coombs' article offers excellent ideas for this phenomenon.
Full citation: Coombs, K. (2008). "The mobile iRevolution." Library Journal, 132, pp. 28.
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