Sustainable Funding Models for Mobile Resource Development in Academic Health Sciences Libraries?

Abstract

Academic health sciences libraries are actively engaged in the provision of mobile resources and services to their primary users populations (research and clinical students, staff, and faculty and health sciences professionals). An environmental scan of forty academic health sciences libraries' websites was conducted to identify current (2014) mobile activities. This data was supplemented with a targetted review of content in selected mobile marketplaces (i.e., iTunes Store, Google Play, and Windows Apps) and interviews. In general, while academic health sciences libraries embraced and participated in early mobile app development,sustainability of funding for such development continues to be a challenge. Patchwork temporary resolutions are the norm; cohesive long-term strategies and program development are the exception.