International Students’ Mobile Resource Use In University Libraries

The main objective of this study is to investigate International students’ mobile resource use in University libraries. To attain this objective; the study investigates the mobile library user needs of international students based on the expectancy theory of motivation which was introduced by (Victor H Vroom 1964) and remodeled by (Porter & Lawler 1968) and (Campbell Dunnette Lawler & Weick 1970). The study further examines the mobile resource settings in University libraries through in-depth web analysis of each of the University library’s mobile resources. The investigation is imperative as it would contribute to a superior understanding of how international students make use of mobile resources and the notable gaps that should be addressed. Consequently the Investigation has the following three research questions;1)To investigate the mobile library user needs of international students in University libraries.2)To investigate the mobile resource settings in University libraries.3)To investigate international students’ mobile resource use in University libraries.To attain the first objective; correlation research analysis was employed. The participants of the study were international student users of mobile resources at Central China Normal University library. The data was collected through use of a questionnaire. The data was then examined using correlation analysis (Kendall’s tau-b) and a finalized international students’ mobile library user needs motivational model presented.The second objective was attained through in depth web analysis of each of the University libraries’ mobile resources. The University mobile libraries examined were selected through systematic random sampling on the M-Libraries page ("Library Best Practices Wiki" 2014).The third and main objective of the study was attained based on interpretation of the findings drawn from both the first and second objective.The findings indicate that international students’ mobile information needs satisfaction is influenced by the student users themselves and the mobile library resource personnel. How best users execute mobile resources influences their information needs satisfaction and is dependent on their past experiences with the resources. Users with high experiences are more likely to execute the resources comfortably, ensuing in their information needs contentment. The mobile resource personnel’s role is also crucial as offering proficient services with excellent human factors 24/7; making available meaningful content and marketing the resources are more likely to motivate international students to use mobile resources consequently gratifying their information needs.Academic libraries are also encouraged to involve international students in the implementation of mobile resources.