Adoption of mobile technologies in malawian academic libraries: the case of mzuzu university library

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of mobile technologies in Malawian academic libraries focusing on Mzuzu University library. Specifically the study aimed at determining: the extent to which mobile technologies are being applied in Malawian academic libraries; and the factors affecting the use of mobile technologies. semi-structured questionnaires was used to collect data from 18 Mzuzu university staff through purposive sampling technique. The most mobile technologies in the Library are smartphones and tablets. The study also reveals that almost all of its services have not gone mobile. The main factors leading to low application and use of mobile technologies in the Library include: higher prices of buying mobile technologies; poor institutional ICT Policy; lack of skills in using mobile technologies; lack of training and awareness of mobile technologies. The researchers recommend that working on these factors for example, training librarians on the use of mobile technologies and coming up with with ICT policy that encourages the use of mobile technologies would increase the use of mobile technologies in the Library.