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.

Librarian Jim Hahn has carefully culled the over 500,000 available apps down to the 100 that are the absolute best for day-in, day-out library services. The guide covers apps for Apple and Android devices, including tablets. Each entry in this long-needed guide contains: • a basic summary of how each app operates, • at least one example of how that app can be used by a librarian, • one example of how it can help a library user access library services, • a section highlighting critical limitations and apps that may better serve a librarian’s needs, and • the next possible iteration of the app. Entries are accompanied by a photo of the app in action, so this current guide is both descriptive and visual. Introductory and final chapters cover using apps in library settings and library services as well as what the future should bring in this area. This guide is intended as an introduction for those with little or no app experience and for those wanting to know more about app uses for information access.

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

Ideal for public, school, and academic libraries looking to freshen up their reference collection, as well as for LIS students and instructors conducting research, this resource collects the cream of the crop sources of general reference and library science information.

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.

Librarians need to utilize web 2.0 tools to generate rich-text learning environments, creating enriching, challenging, and supportive learning platforms for students. The Teaching Librarian shows how to utilize wikis, mindmaps, and Second Life to improve pedagogy for librarians. This title covers how to obtain administration approval to implement web 2.0 tools, how to deal with and prevent technological glitches, and remain aware of relevant legal issues in the UK and the USA. The book also outlines how to create learning interfaces that meet the needs of nontraditional students. The six chapters cover key areas of pedagogy and web 2.0, including: the relevance of LibGuides and its uses for pedagogy; using cloud computing and mobile apps in teaching; teaching with Wikis, Second Life, and Mind Maps; practical issues with web 2.0 technology; and a chapter on the legal issues surrounding the use of web 2.0 for pedagogy. - Provides examples of empirical research that tests the implementation of Second Life, wikis, and mind maps in pedagogical scenarios - Offers research that enables pedagogy while remaining aware of and complying with current United Kingdom and US legal frameworks - Provides case studies and empirical research showing how to gain acceptance of technology in academic environments

This professional primer provides the blueprint to help you create a school library program, covering all aspects of library management such as budgeting, eBook use, purchasing, and teacher collaboration. Advice and strategies from experts in the field will help you master collection development, library administration, recruitment, and staffing. This handbook is the perfect introduction to school library management for both novice and seasoned professionals. The authors—both experienced school librarians—provide basic guidelines for overseeing an effective library program, practical examples that can be used to implement quality lessons, comprehensive coverage of key topics including daily tasks and human resource management, and ideas for the future of school library management. The provided strategies make setting up and running a program easy for professionals at any level. The second edition includes updated information on the latest trends, terminology, and technologies current in the field. The book is organized into three sections: focusing on daily operations; your role as a teacher collaborator and visionary; and methods for managing a collection. Included resource lists, sidebars, charts, and pictures offer tips and ideas for successfully implementing your plans.