Mobile apps are here to stay and students are expecting 24/7/365 access to library resources. Students are working part-time, holding internships, taking courses and being leaders in organizations- all at the same time. Studying abroad is the norm. To reach these students, universities need to develop a mobile strategy- a way to connect with students on the go.

Students own more and more internet-capable devices, and the majority of students own smartphones. It’s not unheard of for a student to own a smartphone, iPod, tablet and laptop!

Two out of the top three ways students would use a smartphone as a learning device were related to library services, which are to look up information and access digital resources. Over 75% of students believe that technology helps them achieve their academic outcomes, and better prepares them for future educational plans.

An academic library mobile app also helps students prepare for the realities of the workplace today, where they will frequently encounter BYOD policies and technology integration. The majority of students agree that by the time they graduate, the technology they have used in their courses will have adequately prepared them for the workplace.

Students expect mobile access to the library. And not only do they expect access, they expect it to be an experience similar to the other apps they spend 80% of their mobile device time in. Boopsie delivers a seamless user experience- from our Smart Prefix™ search to our Star Partners, all of our R&D goes into mobile library apps. It takes less clicks to get you where you need to go. We also give you backend Boopsie Analytics so you can track app and database usage, and there is no burden on your IT department or staff. I think you get the picture. You just show up to the party- we’ll do the heavy lifting.

Word of advice: don’t forget about your students when you are developing your 2014 library technology goals- they will send their Student Committee after you. And then, you will end up talking to me anyways.