Continuing the Conversation: Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services

Update: During Part I of the Integrating iPads and Tablets into Library Services workshops, Catawba College Librarian Keith Engwall volunteered to share his “Getting Started with the iPad2” help document, and many of you responded enthusiastically. Thanks to Keith’s generosity, this document is now available for you to view—it’s embedded below. Be sure to join us this Thursday as we answer more of your questions, explore more practical applications of tablets in libraries, and look in-depth at some amazing apps!

Getting Started With the iPad 2 by Keth Engwall, Catawba College Library

We just wrapped up the first session of the ALA TechSource  Workshop Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services with Rebecca Miller, Carolyn Meier and Heather Moorefield-Lang. We had some fantastic discussion during this event, and we’re using the comments area of this post to continue it. Whether you attended or not, feel free to join the conversation!

Discussion Questions

• If we have netbooks, why do we need tablets? Can you explain the difference?
• If tablet technology is evolving as quickly as you guys say, is there even a point in implementing a program right now? By the time we buy a tablet, create policies and put them into action, won’t everything be obsolete?
• Is there a management suite that can administer and maintain the a group of tablets?
• If the library is using or lending tablets, what are the most important things we need to know about privacy concerns?

Resources from Today’s Event:

• Rebecca, Carolyn and Heather’s Tumblr: http://tabletsinlibraries.tumblr.com/
• Libraries that currently circulate iPads & have policies posted on the web:
  • Virginia Tech’s Art + Architecture Library:  http://www.lib.vt.edu/artarch/ipad-policy.html
  • MIT Lewis Music Library:  http://libstaff.mit.edu/lewis/iPad_policies_procedures.pdf
  • Wake Forest University:    http://zsr.wfu.edu/about/policies/technology-ipad
  • L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library: http://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/services/library-services/ipads.html
• Padcamp: http://www.padcamp.org/

The Preliminary Readings from Today’s Event

• Barile, L. (2011). Mobile technologies for libraries:  a list of mobile applications and resources for development.  C&RL News, 72(4).  Retrieved from http://crln.acrl.org/content/72/4/222.full
• EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. (2011). Seven things you should know about iPad apps for learning.  Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/Resources/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutiPadA/223289
• Lotts, M. and Graves, S. (2011). Using the iPad for reference services:  librarians go mobile.  C&RL News, 72(4).  Retrieved from http://crln.acrl.org/content/72/4/217.full
• Scott, R. (2010). An ipad, a Nook, and a Kindle.  North Carolina Libraries, 68(1).  Retrieved from http://www.ncl.ecu.edu/index.php/NCL/article/view/315/361
• Thompson, S. (2011).  Setting up a library iPad program:  guidelines for success.  C&RL News, 72(4).  Retrieved from http://crln.acrl.org/content/72/4/212.full

Today’s Slides

Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services