Going Mobile: Free and Easy

Abstract

After almost two decades, mobile technologies are now such a part of the fabric of the hospital environment that hospital libraries must take this opportunity to continue to positively impact health outcomes by providing health professionals with valuable information and services via personal digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones. This article provides background information on mobile technology use and handheld devices. It describes how hospital librarians, regardless of staff, budget, or access to technology, can position the hospital library to connect health professionals to clinically relevant mobile resources and library services. Suggestions for the promotion of mobile resources are included, as well as tips for keeping current. A significant amount of free content is identified.

KEYWORDS:

• Handheld accessible programs
• hospital libraries
• mobile devices
• mobile technology

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Cheryl R. Dee ([email protected]), Jane Bridges ([email protected]), Margaret Bandy ([email protected]), and Hope Leman ([email protected]).