Preprint From C&RL: Research Article: “Mobile Libraries: Librarians’ and Students’ Perspectives”

This study seeks to explore whether librarians and LIS students are familiar with the newest technological innovations and whether they are ready to accept them. Do they understand the power of mobile services in libraries? Are they ready to adopt new tools? Although various studies have focused on mobile services and mobile libraries, no one has so far integrated various sections of the LIS arena by focusing on librarians’ and LIS students’ perspectives towards mobile services. Hence, it will be both intriguing and challenging to examine their perceptions of mobile services. The objectives of this study are: (a) to examine if there are differences between librarians’ and LIS students’ perspectives towards mobile services and (b) to what extent does the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) explain librarians and LIS students’ perspectives about mobile services. The research may contribute to the theoretical understanding of the variables that influence librarians’ and LIS students’ attitudes towards mobile services, and may lead to further inquiry in this field.