Towards Smart Applications for Smarter Libraries: Application models for rendering academic library services through smart phones

Abstract

This study aims at shedding light on some models of smartphones applications that can be used in rendering university library services. In addition to the Obstacles, requirements and the way it works. The study was based on the descriptive approach to obtain data referring to the smart services in these libraries; through observation and interview results that showed that all of the eight universities, provided five services through smart phones, represented by the link to the Online Public Access Library Catalogue through QR-Code in the American University of Beiryt Libarries, and Beirut Arab University libraries, and Whatsapp, in the American University of Beirut, and the Lebanese American University Libraries. In addition, all university libraries had Mobile – Responisve web pages. At the end, the study came up with a set of recommendations and suggestions to enhance the concept of rendering univeristy library services via smart phones, such as modifying the Ranganathan principles in line with the requirements of the era of smart revolution.