Minutes of the January 17, 2017 Adult Services
Roundtable Meeting at Hoover
Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Leslie, Central BPL
Carrie, Hoover
Amanda, EOM
Deidre, Bessemer
Terri, Vestavia
Maura, Trussville
Lindsey, Trussville
Shanae, Hoover
Leigh, North B’ham
Shannon, Hoover
Leslie, Central BPL
Carrie, Hoover
Amanda, EOM
Deidre, Bessemer
Terri, Vestavia
Maura, Trussville
Lindsey, Trussville
Shanae, Hoover
Leigh, North B’ham
Topic: Tech Collections
Carrie Steinmehl, Technology Coordinator at the Hoover
Library discussed the history of their management of technology. Around 2005, HPL’s Wireless Network was
installed and all felt there were not enough computer access for the public. At that time, they invested in laptops that
would be checked out to individuals and used only in the library. These now play an integral part of our public
offerings. There are about 18 laptops
that check out from the Tech Hub. In
2015, Carrie researched circulating WiFi Hotspots. Through T-Mobile, HPL was able to get 10
devices that have 4G LTE with unlimited data.
Each device initially costs about $150 (this is going down) and cost the
library $28.70/month for data per device.
With 20, HPL spends about $7,000/yr.
- · Each WiFi Hotspot can power up to 10 devices in the home or on the road.
- · The devices can be checked out to any patron 18 or older with a clear card for one week.
- · If late, patron will accrue $1.50/day in fines and the device will be deactivated very shortly after it becomes due. Most have been returned as soon as they’ve been deactivated. None have been lost or damaged yet.
- · Patrons check out devices from the Tech Hub and return them there.
Carrie also helped set up Bessemer’s WiFi Hotspot
collection. Deidre Sims stated that the
program is extremely popular with holds on all 10 devices. Plans are to add to the current collection. Their devices regulations are very similar to
HPL except that the devices are checked out from the front desk (and users must
be 21 and older). In the 2 years
Bessemer has had the collection, they have collected user surveys with very
positive feedback.
In addition to laptops and WiFi hotspots, the Hoover Library
Fiction Department is in charge of 3 other Tech devices that circulate to
patrons.
- Nook Simple Touch
Patrons must fill out an agreement before checking out a NOOK (see attachment).
Age limit: 15+
Check out period: 3 weeks (with 2 renewals)
Number of Nooks: 20
Number of Nooks: 20
- Nook Samsung Galaxy Tablet
These 7.0 color tablets check out preloaded
with the library’s digital services on them. Currently, they are preloaded with the
Overdrive, Hoover Library, hoopla, Mango Languages, and Zinio apps. There are also desktop shortcuts to BrainHQ,
Reference USA, Universal Class, Alabama Legal Forms, The Birmingham News,
Chilton Auto Repair, and Novelist.
Patrons must still use their library card to login and access these
services (so if they are not Hoover residents they will not have access to all
services).
Patrons are able to download any additional apps they need by logging into the Google Play store with their personal ID. Tablets do have software on them to allow staff to lock and disable overdue tablets. This software (called Maas360) is also used to wipe and reload the tablets after each checkout to remove patrons’ personal information.
Patrons are able to download any additional apps they need by logging into the Google Play store with their personal ID. Tablets do have software on them to allow staff to lock and disable overdue tablets. This software (called Maas360) is also used to wipe and reload the tablets after each checkout to remove patrons’ personal information.
Patrons must fill out an agreement before
checking out a NOOK (see attachment).
Age limit: 18+
Check out period: 1 week (with 2 renewals)
Check out period: 1 week (with 2 renewals)
Number of tablets: 32
Number of tablets billed: 8
- Roku Streaming Sticks
These preloaded streaming sticks plug into
the HDMI port of your television and run through your personal wireless
connection. Patrons are able to check
out a Roku stick and view many of our most popular movies and TV shows through
the Vudu app on the Roku.
Digital copies of movies are provided free
of charge with our physical copies when we receive them from Midwest. The promo codes for the free movies are
redeemed and the copies made available on the Vudu app on the appropriate Roku. Additional copies are also purchased from
Vudu.
Patrons do not have to fill out a lending
agreement
No minimum age limit
Check out period: 1 week (with 2 renewals)
Number of Roku Streaming Sticks: 10
Number of Roku Streaming Sticks: 10
To discuss
the Roku Streaming Sticks, Shanae King of the HPL Fiction Department came and
explained her process of loading each Roku stick with the free digital copies
of movies we already purchase from various sources. These digital copies were previously either
given out to staff or discarded, but once the Roku plan was initiated, these
free copies became content for the circulating devices. She stated this loading of the digital codes
was the most time consuming portion of the program. Otherwise it is easy and patrons seem to love
them. They are always checked out with
holds. Each device costs the library
about $25/item. HPL currently has 10
devices. There are hopes that the Movie
Department, which circulates the Roku sticks, may invest in their own WiFi
hotspots to circulate with the Roku sticks, making it easier for patrons.
Common to
several libraries are the Playaway “LaunchPads” which primarily circulate in
Children’s Departments. Both Bessemer
and Vestavia Hills use theirs with kids – VH also has some for Teens and ESL
students. Replacement costs for these
study, small tablets is about $150 per device with each containing a
specifically themed content.
There was
an active discussion of tech “accoutrements” that are sold in various libraries
such as flash drives and earphones, along with the dreaded office supply
debate. Several libraries added that
selling flash drives for $7 and earphones for $2 is a public service and made
daily exchanges move smoothly.
Last, but
not least, Carrie described a unique offering for Hoover Library. Because we cannot invest square footage to a
makerspace, the Tech Department investigated ways of providing something unique
to our community. The solution came in
the form of a Digital Media Lab. The
equipment is kept together but can be made portable for the patron to use in
the library and Technology Training Center.
Equipment includes video and audio recording resources, along with green
screen, photo digitizer, 27” iMac with Retina display, scanners, microphones,
headphones, keyboard controller and much more.
A quiet rollout has seen usage among patrons wishing to film their own
commercials and interest in the iMovie and Garageband products.
Resources
(feel free to use in your library):
Hoover Library Technology Services (describes Digital Media Lab equipment)
If you have anything you wish to add, please leave a comment below. I can direct questions to the right person or do my best to answer. If you have documents you wish to share, send them to me and I will post them on the ASRT blog.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 10:00 am @ the Homewood Library
TOPIC: Gaming/Games in the Library
