Library of Congress wants mobile access options for staff

The Library of Congress is in the market for a mobile device management system so employees can securely access library materials from personal smartphones and tablets, solicitation documents show.

The library’s 4,000 employees can only remotely access library data now using government-issued mobile devices. Officials are also hoping the device management system will allow them to offer employees a broader range of government-furnished smartphones.

The solicitation is a request for information, meaning the library hasn’t committed to purchase anything.

Mobile device management, or MDM, systems typically allow technology officials to monitor whether sensitive information is being used improperly on an employee’s smartphone or tablet and to remotely delete some of the device’s contents if it’s lost or stolen.

Numerous federal agencies have contracted for MDM products in recent years, including the Veterans Affairs Department. The solicitations are part of a governmentwide initiative to become more mobile friendly. 

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