Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Public library mobile apps in Scotland: views from the local authorities and the public

Public library mobile apps in Scotland: views from the local authorities and the public The purpose of this paper is to examine current public library apps in Scotland and assess Scottish public library users’ opinions of those apps.Design/methodology/approachTwo qualitative and quantitative surveys were conducted. One survey was distributed to each Scottish local authority, the entities responsible for public libraries and Scotland. The second survey was made available to the public. The results were analysed with nonparametric statistics and content analysis.FindingsAll 32 authorities responded. In all, 17 authorities had an app, two had one in development, and 13 had none. Offering an alternative means of communication to patrons was the main reason for providing an app, while cost and low priority were the main reasons provided against app provision. Authorities were satisfied with the core services offered in their apps, but less so with others. No authorities had consulted the public regarding app provision. The public (n=185), while satisfied with current library apps, criticised the complex procedures required to access external services. Patrons from authorities without an app stated interest in apps.Research limitations/implicationsIt is vital for public libraries to implement at least core services that are optimised for mobile devices. They should consult with the public before and throughout the development process to ensure they are happy with the implementation.Originality/valueThis is the first known study to explore public library app use in Scotland as well as one of the first in public library app use worldwide. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Library Hi Tech Emerald Publishing

Public library mobile apps in Scotland: views from the local authorities and the public

Kerr, Alan; Pennington, Diane Rasmussen
Library Hi Tech , Volume 36 (2): 15 – May 9, 2018
Download PDF
15 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/public-library-mobile-apps-in-scotland-views-from-the-local-yr9C91h5z5

References (40)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
0737-8831
DOI
10.1108/lht-05-2017-0091
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine current public library apps in Scotland and assess Scottish public library users’ opinions of those apps.Design/methodology/approachTwo qualitative and quantitative surveys were conducted. One survey was distributed to each Scottish local authority, the entities responsible for public libraries and Scotland. The second survey was made available to the public. The results were analysed with nonparametric statistics and content analysis.FindingsAll 32 authorities responded. In all, 17 authorities had an app, two had one in development, and 13 had none. Offering an alternative means of communication to patrons was the main reason for providing an app, while cost and low priority were the main reasons provided against app provision. Authorities were satisfied with the core services offered in their apps, but less so with others. No authorities had consulted the public regarding app provision. The public (n=185), while satisfied with current library apps, criticised the complex procedures required to access external services. Patrons from authorities without an app stated interest in apps.Research limitations/implicationsIt is vital for public libraries to implement at least core services that are optimised for mobile devices. They should consult with the public before and throughout the development process to ensure they are happy with the implementation.Originality/valueThis is the first known study to explore public library app use in Scotland as well as one of the first in public library app use worldwide.

Journal

Library Hi Tech – Emerald Publishing

Published: May 9, 2018

Keywords: Public libraries; Computer applications; Questionnaires; Scotland; Software development; Mobile applications

There are no references for this article.