Abstract:

Knowledge and information are the basis of all positive changes in world history, in the overall development of mankind. They are a major resource for development and prosperity in modern society. At the same time, the information and educational space is an ever-changing environment, influenced by globalization and the widespread penetration of new information and communication technologies in all spheres of life. Leading world practices show that to meet the requirements of the information society and the single European educational space, it is necessary to implement a coherent development strategy aimed at building new models of knowledge organization and information resources.

Mobile learning and mobile digital libraries are one of the results of the symbiosis of traditional educational and information practices and the new mobile technologies. To maintain their prestigious place in social development in the future, libraries must consider the changed conditions in the modern public environment and respond with adequate policies, activities, and up-to-date information resources. Retaining their main functions, today library institutions must find new approaches, ways and means to meet public needs, to upgrade their traditional role, without in the least belittling it, to find new ways to modern, socially active, and demanding audiences. And one of the most successful ways in this direction is the active inclusion of digital and mobile technologies in educational and library policies.

The research presented in the paper is part of the implementation of a research project entitled “Information portal for mobile learning and mobile access to library services and resources”. The main goal of the project is through a systematic study of the issues related to mobile learning and mobile access to library services and resources to achieve new scientific knowledge, combined and presented in a common information Internet portal, to reveal and summarize the positive changes that modern mobile technologies provide as opportunities for access to training and information.

The main goal of the research presented in this paper is to realize a bibliographical overview of information sources in the field of mobile learning and mobile digital libraries, to study and systematize all discovered documents and as a final result to develop a bibliographic information base, published and freely available from the Information portal for mobile learning and mobile access to library services and resources, created in the process of realization of the research project presented in this paper.

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 –bibliographic and full-text databases, publishing, and library catalogues.

In summary, this paper, as well as the presented research project, aim to emphasize the key importance of mobile technologies in modern information and educational approaches. The interaction between digital technologies, mobile devices and young people is a constant phenomenon today. When used appropriately, they can offer different forms of learning tailored to today’s dynamic life. However, it is very important that technology is perceived not as the only solution, but only as a tool within a culture of learning and information.

Keywords:

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