Purpose: This paper presents an innovative program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library which aims to help engineering students to make use of mobile devices to improve their learning efficiency.Design/methodology/approach: Information literacy training and course learning resources were integrated into students’ learning process. Surveys on students’ learning with the touch pads were conducted to help evaluate the program’s effectiveness.Findings: Our practice showed that collaboration of library staff with faculty members is an effective way to integrate information literacy education and course-specific library resources into students’ learning with mobile devices, which has greatly improved the efficiency of students’ learning.Research limitations: First, our literacy training still focused on the use of mobile devices in information access, but not on how to evaluate and manage their information resources with mobile devices. Second, subject librarians need to shift their role from information service providers into information resource instructors while developing the partnership with faculty members and teaching assistants.Practical implications: This paper provides a new insight into the way of how to enhance learning efficiency of university students with such new technical devices as smartphones and touch pads conveniently.Originality/value: Our practice can be used as a valuable guide for libraries that plan to leverage mobile technologies to enhance students’ learning efficiency. Purpose: This paper presents an innovative program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library aims aims to help engineering students to make use of mobile devices to improve their learning efficiency. Design / methodology / appach: Information literacy training and course learning resources were integrated into students’ learning process. Surveys on students’ learning with the touch pads were conducted to help evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Findings: Our practice showed that collaboration of library staff with faculty members is an effective way to integrate information literacy education and course-specific library resources into students ’learning with mobile devices, which has greatly improved the efficiency of students’ learning.Research limitations: First, our literacy training still focused on the use of mobile devices in information access, but not on how to evaluate and manage their information resources with mobile devices. Second, subject librarians need to shift their role from information service providers into information resource instructors while developing the partnership with faculty members and teaching assistants. Practical implications: This paper provides a new insight into the way of how to enhance learning efficiency of university students with such new technical devices as smartphones and touch pads conveniently.Originality / value: Our practice can be used as a valuable guide for libraries that plan to leverage mobile technologies to enhance students’ learning efficiency.