Why do mobile messaging tools in libraries?

This study has aimed to investigate the level of familiarity of librarians and users of the Central Library of Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch of Tehran with Web 2.0 services, especially mobile instant messaging applications. Another goal of this study was to provide practical solutions for using applications in order to provide library services.

This study was an applied research and was conducted with a survey-based approach. The population consisted of librarians and users of the Central Library of Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch in Tehran. A digital questionnaire was prepared for data collection, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software.

The findings indicated that librarians and library users were more familiar with Web 2.0 applications than with Librarian 2.0 and Library 2.0. The frequency of librarians’ and users' responsiveness to the use of mobile instant applications was quite high, 0.35 and 0 .40, respectively. In both groups, the use of mobile messaging applications was moderate. Library users also agreed on providing a variety of virtual social media services in the library.

The analyses of this study on services offered by libraries using mobile instant messaging applications would make libraries adopt new technologies and move towards changes in the new era.