Most people probably already use their smartphones to watch videos, listen to music, surf the Web, and keep in touch with friends. Now students can use them to enhance their academic experience and earn better grades.

The WVU Libraries’ new Mobile Web brings several of the libraries’ electronic resources to Web-enabled phones. The application enables users to perform library research, find a book, locate an available computer at the downtown campus and Evansdale libraries or ask a librarian a question.

Access the site at m.lib.wvu.edu or through the link on the WVU Mobile Web page.

The site provides access to the Libraries’ online catalog, MountainLynx, and mobile versions of the EBSCOhost database and RefWorks citation management system.

Looking for a computer at the either the Downtown or Evansdale library? Detailed maps of each floor, updated continuously, show available computers.

And if you can’t find that vital information for a paper, the Ask a Librarian service can help by connecting users with a librarian via instant messaging, e-mail, phone, or texting. The service is staffed from 9 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays, 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

“If you can get a cell signal, you can get help from a librarian,” said Penny Pugh, head of reference for the Downtown Campus Library.

Texting, the newest addition to library services, is available to all phones with texting capabilities and is free to students who have unlimited text plans on their phones. To connect with a librarian, simply text a message to 304-220-0919.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Monte Maxwell, WVU Libraries
304-293-0306, monte.maxwell@mail.wvu.edu

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