Using Tablets And Apps In Libraries

Over 52 million tablet devices were sold during the fourth quarter of 2012 and sales are predicted to continue to increase in years to come. These lightweight mobile computing devices are quickly becoming an integral part of patrons’ everyday lives. Libraries are responding by incorporating them into their programs and services. Using Tablets and App in Libraries outlines how libraries can support this new BYOD (bring your own device) culture including offering app events and instruction, installing mounted tablets within the library, offering tablet lending programs, initiating tablet training programs for staff, and ways to evaluate and use quality apps. Discover how you can implement a successful tablet program in your library. Through this comprehensive guide, readers will learn: How to integrate the potential of tablet technology into existing library programs and staff workflows How to Host a Staff Training Technology Petting Zoo How to provide tablet support and training for your patrons How to use tablets in your story time and other children’s programming How to circulate tablets in your library How to use tablets to promote library services How to use tablets in your physical spaces to provide and gather information

How can your library—and your patrons—benefit from mobile apps? This guidebook offers a solid foundation in "app-literacy," supplying librarians with the knowledge to review and recommend apps, offer workshops, and become the app expert for their communities. Smartphones and other mobile devices that support downloadable applications—universally referred to as "apps"—can be used to foster productivity, conduct research, or read and study. Additionally, savvy librarians can better serve their communities by gaining expertise in mobile technologies and being qualified to make app recommendations to patrons. This book introduces you to the apps that can help you save time and increase your own productivity as well as serve as a curator and reviewer of apps and resident expert to benefit your patrons. Apps for Librarians: Using the Best Mobile Technology to Educate, Create, and Engage will save you from wading through and learning about the millions of apps available today and direct you to the very best apps in areas important to education, the workplace, and professional development. Organized by function—reading, writing, reference, multi-media, and productivity—apps are profiled with the following information: title, developer, price, platforms, general description, examples of use, and key features that make it worthwhile for learning and creative work.

This special 78-page report looks closely at how academic and special libraries are using tablet computers. It helps librarians and information technology personnel to answer such questions as: what type of libraries are using tablets? What are they using them for? Which library departments are benefiting most from tablet use? Which brands of tablet are most popular? What are buying plans for the future? What stock of tablets do libraries have and how fast do they plan to expand this stock? How have tablets affected their ebook acquisition plans? What kind of apps do they use or develop for their tablets? Do they loan out tablets to patrons? On what terms? How long can patrons borrow them? Have they had losses due to theft? What is their overall budget for tablets and app development?

This 91-page study looks closely at how public libraries are using tablet computers, smartphones and eBook readers. It helps librarians to answer questions such as: How many libraries have tablet computers? How many loan them out to patrons? What is their stock of tablets? What brands do they prefer? How much do they currently spend and plan to spend on tablets, smartphones and eBook readers in the future? How are they using tablets? How have tablets affected reference, information literacy, children¿s librarianship, administration and other areas? How have tablets impacted their buying plans for desktop and laptop computers? Which apps do they use? Have they developed their own apps? How likely are public libraries to buy certain specific brands such as Kindle, iPad or products from specific companies such as Asus, SONY, Motorola or Apple?

The 80-page study presents the results of a survey of 42 libraries with tablet lending programs or those just about to implement one. The report gives detailed data and commentary on how the programs were organized, financed and implemented and their impact on patrons and libraries. The report helps its readers to answer questions such as: how many tablets do libraries maintain for loan? Which brands do they prefer and which are they planning to purchase in the future? How much have they spent on their tablet lending programs and plan to spend? Do they load their tablets with apps? If so how do they choose them? How many tablets are lost to theft? Or to negligence or accidents? What is the fine for overdue tablets? What is the length of the lending period? What are the circulation figures for tablets? What has been the impact on other library resources, such as a pre-existing laptop lending program? Or on use of the library’s eBook collection? Which libraries do they view as models and what advice can they offer to peers? What services or training are offered to library patrons about how to use the tablets? Data in the report is broken out by library type (public library/public college/private college/special library), by size of library staff, and size of stock of tablet loaned and other variables.

Looking for a programming guide for computer tablet use in the library setting? This book provides detailed plans and instructions with specific literacy goals for child, teen, and adult audiences—exactly what librarians seeking to integrate iPad and other tablet use into their programs need. Tablet computers are fast becoming a ubiquitous technology. These devices also represent a unique opportunity for librarians and teachers because they are relatively affordable, easy to configure and maintain, and highly adaptable. Written by a practicing digital literacy instruction librarian who is also a trained children's librarian, this book offers 50 practical programming scenarios that librarians can use to integrate iPads or other tablet devices into their programming, offering different plans for toddlers and pre-K child, school-aged patrons, teenagers, adults, and even seniors. The plans provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and are designed to be easily adaptable to serve specific audiences. The book serves as a unique resource that helps librarians address digital literacy and bridge the digital divide by focusing on—and catering to—the needs of many age groups. Author Joel A. Nichols also provides annotated lists of apps that present librarians new to tablet computing simple and effective ways of integrating an iPad into their programs.

If you are wondering what mobile technology adoption means for your library or how to get started, Mobile Technologies for Every Library will answer your questions! Wondering what the opportunities and pitfalls are of mobile technology use in libraries? This book will answer these questions. Thinking of starting a mobile program in your library? Want to improve on existing services or add new ones? This book will answer your questions about platforms, options, security, best practices and more. The book will preview many useful apps for libraries. Web links and resources are also included. Chapter coverage includes history and existing types of mobile technologies, mobile devices and supporting technology, ways to provide mobile technology for your users, a survey of currently available apps, ways to use mobile technology for library work, best practices, and future directions. Each chapter is organized by subtopics with tips and examples from real library programs to help you get started.

According to Pew Research, nearly a quarter of teens already own a tablet computer, with younger children not far behind. With the use of these handheld devices continuing to grow by leaps and bounds each year, tablets are coming to your school district soon if they haven't already. This succinct e-book speaks directly to librarians and educators working with young people, pointing the way towards intelligent, constructive use of tablets to attain educational goals. Offering specific guidance for the K-12 setting, the authors Present case studies from a range of libraries, showing you how to create attention-grabbing programs for early learners, integrate tablets into classroom instruction, and serve special needs students Include eight adaptable, active-learning lessons that will help you get started quickly, ranging from using tablets to interact with the Caldecott awards to a QR codes scavenger hunt Detail the evaluation criteria used by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Best Apps for Teaching and Learning Committee, along with the list of selected apps If you’re a school librarian, a classroom teacher, or someone interested in how hand-held technologies can be used in education, this resource will both inspire and inform your use of tablet computers.