The modern society is defined as an information society, a society of knowledge and innovation, and a qualitatively new attitude towards them is characteristic of it.
Libraries are one of the key elements of contemporary information environment and of a single global information space. Quality information provision requires the modernisation of methods regarding collection, processing and provision of information, as well as highly developed information infrastructure. New information technologies offer additional opportunities for libraries to initiate different up-to-date directions of development and to enhance their social status and role.
In Bulgaria, issues of mobile access to information and knowledge have been partly addressed, but a thorough study on the existence of mobile digital libraries and mobile learning forms in the country has not been conducted yet. The attitude and competences of specialists in this field have not been analysed neither. There is not an information point collecting, systemising and disseminating information on the topic.
The main aim of the present project is through systematic analysis of issues related to mobile learning and mobile access to library services and resources, both in Bulgaria and in other European countries, to attain new scientific knowledge and products, integrated and presented in a general information web portal. It will bring to light and summarise positive changes induced by information technologies in contemporary society with regard to new opportunities for access to education and information through the active role of mobile digital libraries.
Specific aims of the project are scientific studies, which will lead to new theoretical knowledge, scientific and applied results and new educational content; stimulation of scientific potential and development of postdocs, PhD students and students; promotion of mobile forms of learning and information provision among the library community and in the educational environment; promotion of mobile access to digital collections of cultural institutions in the country as a modern approach to the socialisation of the Bulgarian literary cultural heritage to stimulate research in the field and to preserve the cultural identity of society.
The hypothesis underlying the project’s activities and tasks is that raising awareness and competencies of both users and information and education professionals, and learning about leading foreign experience in this field, is a key factor for both librarians and educational institutions to synchronise the services and resources they provide with the world standards in the area and to respond adequately to the contemporary information and educational needs of the Bulgarian society.
The targeted basic research proposed in this project addresses one of the national societal challenges: cultural and historical heritage; national identity and development of the culture of society.