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 Services Emporia State University Libraries and Archives
Dec 21, 2015
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 2.0GB
Hard-Drive 160GB
Video Integrated Graphics
Screen Size
10.1”
Battery 6-Cell/54-WHr
Warranty 3 Year – Laptop3 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 Outs
Total 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 Laptops
Use 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
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 a
nywhe
re
I can
take
it w
here
it is
quie
t
I like
the
othe
r floo
rs in
the
libra
ry b
ette
r tha
n th
e 2n
d flo
or
All the
PCs
are
usua
lly b
usy
It is
mor
e co
nven
ient
Other
0
20
40
60
80
Why do you use the library laptops over the desk-tops?
Nu
mb
er o
f R
esp
on
den
ts
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.
Presented by:
Art GutierrezHead of Technical ServicesEmporia State [email protected]
Terri SummeyHead of Access and Children’s ServicesEmporia State [email protected]
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.