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1. Introduction
With the use of advanced technologies, mobile library applications (apps) can help users easily access and work with research materials anytime and anywhere (Chang, 2013; Mansouri and Asl, 2019). Many academic libraries provide a variety of mobile services, including online public access catalog retrieval, circulation and renewals; resource discovery; facilities information; and other library information (Mansouri and Asl, 2019; Wei and Yang, 2017). Nevertheless, limitations in mobile services have been observed, including inconsistencies and inadequate customized services. Previous studies have shown that with mobile apps, access to frequently used information resources, such as journals, databases (DBs) and multimedia, is not as smooth as on personal computers (PC) (Moon and Kwak, 2011; Rafique et al., 2020). In addition, mobile library apps have been unable to meet the high demand for personalized information services based on inquiry histories and specific disciplines of individual users (Zhao et al., 2016). Studies to develop mobile library apps have focused on identifying features and services that satisfy user needs (Mansouri and Asl, 2019; Pu et al., 2015). Regardless, such studies are scarce. Furthermore, previous research asserts that perceived usefulness or perceived ease of use in mobile library apps have significant effects on user acceptance of these apps (Rafique et al., 2020; Yoon, 2016). Thus, the present study aims to develop mobile library services with applied curation services to optimize user needs and highlight ease of use.
Curation is defined as the active selection and arrangement of works or content by experts in galleries of art, museums, libraries, or other similar institutions to create a relevant theme or narrative for patrons [Bhaskar, 2016; Oxford University Press (OUP), 2020]. One of the main reasons that libraries have adopted curation services is due to the fact that information overload in academic settings has been aggravated by big data or digital environments. In particular, content curation services are drawing attention for being effective in solving these information problems by selecting and providing information through the intervention of experts or the analysis of big data. What mobile curation practices have in common with general curation services is that both sets of services focus on customized offerings. The former, however, are distinct from the latter in that mobile curation practices...