THE WIRELESS LIBRARY

The Assessment of a Library Laptop Program

Presented by:Terri Summey, Head of Access and Children’s Services

Art Gutierrez, Head of Technical ServicesEmporia State University Libraries and Archives

Outline: Introduction to ESU Libraries and

Archives Overview of Laptop programs and

assessments The Laptop program at ESU Current assessment study Future thoughts and recommendations

Emporia State University Established 1863 in Emporia Kansas Midsize university 6500 Students 67% UG / 33% Grad Approximately 600 international students Known for Teacher’s College, SLIM,

School of Business

Library Laptop Lending Programs Many university libraries have laptop lending programs

– study 79% (Holden and Hsieh, 2007) “Getting a laptop is as easy as getting a book” (Jensen,

2008); Library computing in library – “anytime anywhere” –

technological mobility; Lending policies vary (time, in house use); Literature – assessments of use, issues encountered,

development of lending programs Packages versus peripherals Programs are popular and successful

Regents Library Laptop Programs  ESU KSU KU WSU FHSU PITT Washburn

Laptop

Programx x x x x   x

Laptops Available 40 12 46 10 23 na 25

Library Use Only x   x x   na X

Loan Period 3 hours 3 days 4 hours 3 hours 3 days na 2 hours

Fines $5/hour $5/day up to $35

.25/min up to $60

.25/min up to $120

$5/hour up to $30

na $20/

hour

Laptop Program @ ESU 2006-Started 5 laptops, 8 access points 2006 -10 Added 10 laptops per year 30 laptops, 10 netbooks

Laptops Used Latitude D620’s and D630’s ($1200) Latitude 2100 netbooks ($650)

Processor Intel Atom N470 (1.83GHz)

RAM 2.0GBHard-Drive 160GBVideo Integrated GraphicsScreen Size

10.1”

Battery 6-Cell/54-WHrWarranty 3 Year – Laptop

3 Year – Battery

Laptop Agreement Checked out through III system – similar

to reserve items Yearly agreement Note created in student records in our

ILS Replacement Cost Late fees

$5/hour – recently reduced

Wireless Access 8 access points in 2006 12 access points Issues

Wireless standardCampus wide growthReliableLaptop setup Printing

Laptop Issues Updating – Adobe, MS, Browsers, Other Connectivity Security Warranty

Battery -$135AC adapter - $65

Number of laptops available Financial implications Staffing

Stats

Nov. 07-Oct. 08 Nov. 08-Oct. 09 Nov. 09-Oct. 100

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

23,174

32,882

38,606

6,898

10,255 9,601

Laptop Circulation StatsNov. 07 – Oct. 10

Total Check OutsTotal Renewals

Circulation Percentages

Laptop Circulation

36% Other Mate-rials Circula-

tion64%

Circulation PercentagesNov. 07-Oct. 08

Laptop Circulation42%Other Materials

Circulation58%

Circulation PercentagesNov. 08-Oct. 09

Laptop Circulation47%

Other Materials Circulation

53%

Circulation PercentagesNov. 09-Oct. 10

Survey of Users Goals:

Who is using the program; How they are using the program; Satisfaction with the laptop program; Satisfaction with Netbooks

Sampling Technique October 2010 25-30 questions on Zoomerang

Demographic questions Laptop program knowledge Laptop use

Under 10 minutes Emails requesting participation along with word of mouth and

bookmarks at point of checkout Prizes for participation

Results: Demographics 190 Respondents Classification distributed /

all students Mostly fulltime students

living off campus 80% US Students / 20%

international 80% own wireless laptop

computer 93% aware of library’s

wireless

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Grad Student

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Classification of Students

Number of Respondents

Preliminary Results: Laptop Use

Daily 4-6 times a week 1-3 times a week less than once a week

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Laptop Use and Desktop Use

Use of LaptopsUse of 2nd Floor Computers

Results: Laptop Use

To access Blackboard

To connect to the Internet (surf the web)

To complete an assignment

Library research or online research

Email

Social networking

Current Events

Games

To watch a movie or listen to music

Other

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

How do you use the library laptops?

Number of Respondents

Results: Laptop Use

I can

take

it an

ywhe

re

I can

take

it whe

re it i

s quie

t

I like

the o

ther fl

oors

in the

librar

y bett

er tha

n the

2nd f

loor

All the

PCs a

re us

ually

busy

It is m

ore co

nven

ient

Other

0

20

40

60

80

Why do you use the library laptops over the desk-tops?

Num

ber o

f Res

pond

ents

Results: Laptop Use Satisfaction with Service and

Laptops Reasons: mobility, quiet, PCs

busy, convenience Learned about the program

through friends Awareness of policies but not

online renewals

What do you like about the Library Laptop Program?

I like that I don't have to lug my personal laptop to the library. I come to the library to get away from distractions at home. The laptop allows me to spread out my assignments/homework on a table and have as much space as I need, unlike at a computer desk or in the lab.

Having laptops available makes it easier for group projects to find a table to sit around to view assignment on computer, rather than trying to fit around a computer on the 2nd floor where there is not much room between computers. It is also nice to be able to move to a quiet area to concentrate or be able to move from one area to another without logging off and switching computers (handy when going from working on hw alone, to meeting a group, etc)

How can we make the laptop program better?

we need more plug-in's there are some spots in the library that i want to sit at but i cant because there is no where to connect the power cord, for example the lobby

get more updated laptops and get all the programs from every department on all of them. for example, the digital audio recording programs from the music department and photoshop from the art department, etc.

How has the library laptop program helped you at ESU?

I don't have internet access at home at the moment, and my personal laptop is getting repaired, so it gives me the luxury of both the internet AND not being confined to a desk/table.

It has made group projects a lot easier. Helped me not to buy a laptop money

was used to buy schoolbooks and personal items

If the library did not have laptops to check out in the library how would that impact you?

If we didn't have the laptops I don't think we'd have enough computers for everyone, especially during mid-terms and finals.

It would be a lot harder to get tutoring with my E.D.G.E program in the library. I enjoy the library for it's quiet, helpful resources. I think it would impact me a lot.

Future Considerations

Ipad Keyboard Printing Security Memory Ipad3???

THE END!

Questions???

Comments.

Presented by: Art Gutierrez

Head of Technical ServicesEmporia State Universityagutierra@emporia.edu

Terri SummeyHead of Access and Children’s ServicesEmporia State Universitytsummey@emporia.edu

Sources: Holden, H. and Hsieh, M. L. (2007). The state of wireless

laptop lending programs: a survey of academic libraries. Library HiTech, 25, 260-275.

Hsieh, M. L. and Holden, H. (2008). A university library laptop lending service: an analysis using two student surveys. Library HiTech, 26, 424-439.

Jensen, K. (2008). Beyond classroom ‘technology’: The equipment circulation program at Rasmusen Library University of Alaska Fairbanks. Journal of Access Services, 5, 221-231.

Power, J. L. (2007) . Circulation on the go: Implementing wireless laptop circulation in a state university academic library. Journal of Access Services, 5, 197-209.

Sharpe, P. A. (2009) Circulating laptops: Lessons learned in an academic library. Journal of Access Services, 6, 337-345.