Citation
Mitchell, E. and Barbara Watstein, S. (2010), "Harnessing the power of all things ‘mobile’", Reference Services Review, Vol. 38 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/rsr.2010.24038baa.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Harnessing the power of all things ‘mobile’
Article Type: Editorial From: Reference Services Review, Volume 38, Issue 2
It is true – the term “mobile” does not mean what it once did. Think mobile broadband, mobile computing, mobile content, mobile devices, mobile infrastructure, mobile phones, mobile productivity tools, mobile technology, and mobile web.
Technology professionals, campus technologists, faculty leaders from colleges and universities, and representatives of leading corporations have established the relevance of all things mobile for teaching, learning and creative expression1. For librarians, the relevance for all things mobile for services is fast becoming apparent. “Mobile” provides us with a myriad opportunities to reach our users wherever they may be. Opportunities for innovation and leadership abound. Think mobile resources, mobile services, mobile spaces, and more and more mobile.
It is with great pleasure then that we introduce this theme issue on mobile services for libraries. The issue includes manuscripts from a variety of institutions and associations – including two from foreign shores:
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The Alliance Library System.
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Biblioteca Rector Gabriel Ferraté, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.
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Champlain College, Burlington, VT.
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Coalition for Networked Information (CNI).
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Murray State University, Murray, KY.
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New York University.
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Oregon State University.
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Penn State Abington.
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Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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San Jose State University.
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
We are confident that our readers will be as inspired as we are by the innovative use of mobile broadband and mobile devices that is exemplified by all the contributors to this issue. We, like you, are energized by the opportunity to learn from each other about the new and exciting opportunities and uses of applications that will enhance our educational mission.
Although many contributors have worked hard to make this theme issue a success, we want to particularly thank Ms Michelle Jacobs and Ms Brena Smith, our Guest Editors for this issue.
New technologies offer us not only new ways to work and to learn, but also new ways to create, and new ways to serve. We hope the articles in this issue spark dialogue within your library or within your college or university environment. We also hope that the articles stimulate and further the exploration and use of all things mobile for teaching, learning, creative expression and service in your library/libraries.
The Horizon Project charts the landscape of emerging technologies for teaching, learning and creative inquiry and produces the New Media Consortium’s series of Horizon Reports. The New Media Consortium (NMC) is an international not-for-profit consortium of learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies. A collaboration between The New Media Consortium and the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, the Reports track key trends, critical challenges and technologies to watch. The Reports have followed mobile devices with interest for several years. For information about the Consortium see:www.nmc.org/ (accessed 15 February 2010). For information about the Project see: www.nmc.org/proj (accessed 15 February 2010) and for information about the Reports, see: www.nmc.org/publications (accessed 15 February 2010).
Eleanor Mitchell, Sarah Barbara Watstein