Management Preparedness Towards the Implementation of Mobile Technology Library Services in Academic Libraries

Despite the growing usage of mobile devices and the availability of mobile broadband and WIFI internet almost everywhere in the academic libraries of developing countries, academic libraries in Ghana are yet to fully exploit this opportunity and provide mobile technology (m-tech) based library services. This study thus set to assess the preparedness’ of library management towards the implementation of m-tech library services in academic libraries in Ghana. The study employed a descriptive survey and the mixed method in collecting data from 365 respondents. The study established that the majority of respondents were aware that mobile devices could be used to access library services, and were willing to be trained, adapt; and upgrade their skills to suit any mobile service technological change undertaken in academic libraries. The main mobile devices available and used to provide services to the patrons comprise handheld tablets, smartphones, iPod, cell phones, PDA's and e-book readers.