The Mobile Library and Staff Preparedness: Exploring Staff Competencies Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model‪.‬

The increased use of mobile technologies in instructional delivery and the increased investments by educational institutions (fiscal, physical, and human) in the development of flexible learning environments are impacting on all aspects of library planning and procedures. Mobile technologies are characterised by their small size and portability. Mobile devices can include smart phones, tablets, and netbooks, but usually exclude laptop computers. Mobile libraries or m-libraries (the terms used in this paper) involve the delivery of library services through these devices. A review of the literature reveals relatively little reported research on the impact of" mobile service delivery on libraries and, in particular, on staff members from the viewpoint of planning, processes and professional development and, second, in analysing the link between acceptance and use of technology innovation with the outcomes and goals of institutional capability development. The purpose of this study was to examine the current state of preparedness of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and institutes of technology libraries to deliver mobile services within a framework of innovation and technology adoption. The study examined how stall" responded to the concept of the mobile library, their perceived levels of confidence and capability within this environment, and how best to address any gaps identified in a systematic and replicable manner able to inform strategic: planning processes. A number of potential technology adoption frameworks were examined to determine the most appropriate as a predictor for behaviour change and acceptance of technology. As a result, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) developed by Venkatesh Morris, Davis and Davis (2003) was used in this study as a framework within which to assess the technology adoption and acceptance aspect of capability development within an academic library setting.