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

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.

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.

In this issue of Library Technology Reports Virginia Tech librarians Miller, Meir, and Moorfield-Lang offer a collection of first-hand accounts of academic library projects using tablets.

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.

This roundup of the latest discussions on the topic is a relevant prism through which readers can discover ways to improve reference and instructional services at all academic libraries.

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?