THE EFFECT OF MOBILE ACCESS ON LIBRARY SERVICES

The invention of the internet and the development of contemporary information and communication technologies (ICT) have drastically changed the world. Mobile technologies and devices are ubiquitous and offer access to information and communication opportunities regardless of time and location. The power, functionality and accessibility of mobile devices increase on a daily basis, thus providing more and more opportunities. The extensive insertion of mobile technologies in everyday life reveals new ways of their effective application in education, science, access to information and, in particular, library activities. It is inadmissible for a contemporary library not to use actively the new communication technologies, not to offer online and mobile access to its services and resources. In order to answer adequately contemporary users’ needs, information institutions must provide easy and convenient access to their resources as well as services. This paper presents summarised information and analysis of the use of services offered by the Sofia Public Library, Bulgaria. This is the biggest city library in the country with a collection of over 1 200 000 books, 250 000 from which in foreign languages, with more than 51 000 readers, half of whom under 28 years of age, with 500 000 visitors annually. The library provides traditional resources and services as well as digital collections, online and mobile access to the library’s services. The accent of the present research is on remote access to library services and resources and the influence its provision has on the use of library services and resources. The paper presents data from the automatised information system of the library for the last 5 years about the total number of visits, including online ones. The increase in online visits to the library’s site through mobile devices is noted. A comparative analysis of the number of book reservations online and at the library is done. Information about the number of books renewed online is provided. In summary, the survey’s conclusions aim to prove the vital role of active using of ICT in library activities. In order to adequately satisfy the information needs of the users and to function in accordance with world tendencies, it is crucial that Bulgarian libraries introduce the opportunities of contemporary information technologies, mobile technologies in particular, to the library information sector in the country. Libraries should be an inseparable part of the contemporary world, where technologies become more accessible and communication – more easily realised.