Abstract:

Modern information and communication technologies have become an inseparable part of educational and information provision in the last few decades. The possibilities and incredible potential of this symbiosis are highly valued by a number of scientists, experts, teachers and practitioners in the field, as well as by statesmen, politicians, representatives of technology companies and businesses. Nowadays, the adequate satisfaction of information and educational needs is unthinkable without the inclusion of new mobile technologies in the information and educational environment.
At the same time, these problems are relatively new, rather unclear and poorly theorised.
This paper presents a study aiming to summarise and clarify the nature, definition and other key aspects of both mobile learning as well as mobile digital libraries and mobile information services. The methodology applied for the realisation of the study includes instruments for observation, search, systematisation, summary and analysis of traditional as well as electronic information sources.
The paper also presents the goals and expected results of a new research project entitled „Information portal for mobile learning and mobile access to library services and resources“, won in the Competition for financial support for projects of junior basic researchers and postdocs – 2019, organised by the National Science Fund of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, (Contract № KP-06-М35/2 from 18.12.2019, led by Chief Assist. Prof. Elisaveta Dimitrova Tsvetkova, PhD – academic and researcher from the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (BULGARIA). The main goal of the project is through systematic research of the issues related to mobile learning and mobile access to library services and resources to reach new scientific knowledge, collected and presented in a common information Internet portal, revealing and summarising the positive changes that information technologies cause in modern society with regard to the new opportunities for access to education and information, especially via the active role of mobile digital libraries.
The paper’s results underline the insufficient level of awareness of society concerning these new forms of access to information in the fields of education, science and culture. As a conclusion, it is stated that level of awareness regarding the opportunities provided by mobile learning and mobile libraries should be increased significantly and in compliance with this statement, a project for a platform through which this aim can be achieved is put forward.
With the advent of digital and mobile technologies in public life, a radical transformation in the thinking, attitudes and needs of people is taking place. A society is being created in which knowledge and information are becoming increasingly important. Such a cultural and educational environment creates active users who have no limits or restrictions in their searches and desire to solve problems and constantly develop their competencies. The answer to these demands is the inclusion of mobile technologies in educational and information provision, as well as the creation of a single information Internet platform to systematise information on these issues.

Keywords:

Mobile digital libraries, digital libraries, ICT, mobile technologies, research project.