Library on the Go: A Focus Group Study of the Mobile Web and the Academic Library

Jamie Seeholzer is First Year Experience Librarian, Reference and Instruction, at Kent State University; e-mail: [email protected]. Joseph A. Salem, Jr. is Head, Reference and Government Information Services, Kent State University; e-mail: [email protected]. © Jamie Seeholzer and Joseph A. Salem, Jr. This study explores student use of the mobile Web in general and expectations for an academic library’s mobile Web site in particular through focus groups with students at Kent State University. Participants expressed more interest in using their mobile Web device to interact with library resources and services than anticipated. Results showed an interest in using research databases, the library catalog, and reference services on the mobile Web as well as contacting and being contacted by the library using text messaging.