Developing and completing a library mobile technology survey to create a user-centered mobile presence

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discover how many of the authors' own university students own internet-enabled mobile devices and how they use them. That information will be incorporated into the design of a user-centered library mobile web site.

Design/methodology/approach

SurveyMonkey was used to create a web based survey which was distributed through a stable URL hosted on the Hunter College Libraries' web site.

Findings

This study illustrates that Hunter College students are increasingly using their mobile devices for educational purposes. Students are reliant on these devices even when other internet-enabled devices such as laptops and desktops are available.

Research limitations/implications

The principal tool used, SurveyMonkey, did not enable high level restrictions on potential participants. As a result, multiple demographic questions were used to establish a respondent profile.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide a framework for the creation of a mobile survey to discover users' habits and preferences. The data collected may also give an indication of what users may desire in a mobile library web site. Further investigation is needed to explore the relationship between commuting and how students use their mobile devices.

Originality/value

This is the only study which provides data on the devices urban college student library users own, and how they utilize these devices.

Citation

Andre Becker, D., Bonadie-Joseph, I. and Cain, J. (2013), "Developing and completing a library mobile technology survey to create a user-centered mobile presence", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp. 688-699. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-03-2013-0032