The Handheld Library—Mobile Technology and the Librarian

"The Handheld Library: Mobile Technology and the Librarian" provides the information and guidance librarians need to adapt themselves and their facilities to the mobile revolution--the fastest, most diffuse worldwide technological innovation in human history.

The book provides an up-to-date survey of how mobile technologies are affecting library use, library services, library systems, librarians, and library users at various types of libraries. The authors cover core topics related to mobile libraries, including mobile reference, eBooks, mobile websites, and QR codes, and address aspects of the mobile revolution less frequently covered in the literature, such as mobile health information services, the use of mobile technologies on archival work, the impact of the mobile revolution on physical libraries, and the ways in which new mobile technologies are creating professional development opportunities within the profession. While this resource is specifically targeted toward librarians who plan and provide services using mobile technologies, academic, public, and other librarians will also find the ideas and information within useful.

Thomas A. Peters is dean of library services at Missouri State University, Springfield, MO. He regularly uses a smartphone, Kindle, Fire, netbook, and laptop, as well as other portable devices.

Lori Bell is in instructional technology support at Graham Hospital School of Nursing Library and part-time lecturer at San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science.