Tisch Library last month added five iPads to its supply of technology that is available for out-of-library lending in an effort to support technology literacy and availability to the Tufts community.
The iPads can be checked out for a four-hour period and are available to both students and faculty at the circulation desk, along with other technology such as laptops, flip cameras, HD cameras and external hard drives.
The second-generation iPad tablets feature pre-installed applications including Wolfram Alpha, iMovie, Photobooth, several social media applications, a Trunk application and several resources specializing in science, math, engineering and technology.
The recent addition of iPads for student and faculty use comes on the heels of the arrival of the new Director of Tisch Library Laura Wood and last semester's launch of the Digital Design Studio (DDS), a space that allows students to utilize technology such as film editing software, computer editing and animation software.
"We're always looking for ways to use [technology] to support teaching and learning," Thomas Cox, head of Library Information Technology services, said.
"We started to get interested in iPads because [they're] superior for eBooks, and eBooks are becoming more and more of a part of academic experience," Cox said.
Conversations and planning for the program began in summer 2011, including discussions about how best to ensure information privacy.
"When a student returns an iPad, the first thing we do is restore it to default state, and personal information is wiped," Cox said. "It's important because the iPad product is intended [as a] single user device, and we're pushing the envelope by lending them. No user data of any kind is carried over to the next lender."
The lending program has been funded as a Tisch Library project, after a proposal and budget was approved. Cox said that if the lending program proves successful among students and faculty, there is potential for purchasing more iPads.
In researching and planning the design of the lending program, Cox and members of the iPad working group, comprised of a team of reference librarians and information technology specialists, turned to examples of lending programs at Oberlin College as well as the pilot program for iPad lending at the University of Arizona.
Social Sciences Reference Librarian Connie Reik was a member of the iPad working group and was responsible for compiling the survey questionnaire patrons receive after returning the iPad, Cox said.
Engineering Reference Librarian Karen Vagts assisted in creating a compilation of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) resource applications, including Wolfram Alpha.
"I was involved as an iPad user and also because I'm involved with engineering and technology and related disciplines, and researching some of the apps for putting on the iPad," Vagts said.
Rick Heckbert, the Tisch Library systems administrator, was the technical lead for the iPad lending program, according to Cox.
The working group made decisions about what applications to install on the iPads based on the space availability of the iPads and pricing, Vagts said.
They searched for applications with functions and resources that would mirror the library reference collection. The final starter kit is organized into 12 iPad application groups.
Cox last semester told the Daily that there were plans to purchase third-generation iPad tablets, but they instead purchased second-generation models, because the newer models aren't slated to be released until March 7.
"Technology is a moving goal post. Instead of waiting for iPad 3 releases, we decided to start with iPad 2," Cox said.
This semester also marks the first in which laptops from Tisch are available for use outside the library.
The working group will determine the success of the program in part based on the results of surveys administered to students after they return the iPads.
The surveys will include questions on the purposes for which students and faculty used the tablet, which applications they utilized, potential application suggestions and general feedback about the lending program.
"It is a pilot project, so we're open to feedback and we're going to see what people are using, what they like," Vagts said.
"We're curious to know what they're doing with an iPad."
Amatoga Jeremie, a senior, said she would consider using the iPads at Tisch because of their availability and handiness.She likened the iPad lending program to the Tufts bike lending service.
"I'd use it because it's there and available," she said. "I can see why students would use them, they're pretty convenient."
