Something Borrowed, Something New:Promoting the use of digital equipment through short term loans

Rob WithersMiami University Libraries

Overview Overview of University and service point Equipment Usage Challenges + Solutions (?) Questions

Miami University: Background Small town, residential campus Selective public institution 15,081 Undergraduates 2,476 Graduates

Service Point Background 24/7 Operations during academic year 347,309 checkins / checkouts per year 4,000 informational transactions per year 8 FTE staff + 6.5 FTE student employees

Equipment: Laptop & Tablets Windows Laptop (33) Macintosh Laptop (13) iPads (31) Nexus Tablets (6) iPad keyboard covers (10) Power cords (46 Mac, 47 Dell, 13 HP)

Equipment: Cameras & Recorders Digital Video Cameras (76, of 6 types) Digital Still Cameras (8) Digital Audio Recorders (28, of 3 types) Microphones (16) Tripods (16, of 2 types) Tripod dollies Steadycam + weights

Equipment: Miscellaneous Headphones (76) Calculators (14 Graphing, 27 Financial) Projectors (23, of 2 types) Computer mice (4) Foreign language translators (10) Electrical extension cords (2) Portable Lectern w/microphone (1)

Usage: Central Service Point

Laptops + Tablets; 12.60%

Digital Equipment;

35.04%

Reserves; 11.02%Study Room Keys; 15.42%

Books; 25.37% Other; 0.55%

Usage: Central Service Point+Branches

Laptops + Tablets; 6.46%Digital

Equipment; 16.68%

Reserves; 11.59%Study Room

Keys; 9.73%

Books; 53.63%

Other; 1.91%

Challenges + Solutions: FundingLibrary materials budgetStudent technology feeClosure of other campus facilities

Challenges + Solutions: Wear + Tear

Equipment designed for individual use

May wear out prematurelyMay develop unforseen problems

Challenges: RetentionDaily overdue finesReplacement charge if unreturned

The “rental” problem8% Lost/Billed/Bursar

Solutions: RetentionAutomatic overdue + fine notices

“Morning after” emailsRemote disabling of iPads

Challenges + Solutions: MaintenanceSystems check laptops dailyUpdates to software/OS’sWear + Tear from multiple users

Cameras wiped on check-in

Challenges + Solutions: PrivacyLaptops wipe on logoutiPads wiped on weekly updates

Cameras wiped on check-in

Challenges + Solutions: Support

Instructions from manufacturer

“Quick start” guidesTraining for staff?Support from service desk only

Challenges + Solutions: Support

Systems check laptops dailyInstructions from manufacturer“Quick start” guidesTraining for staff?Support from service desk only

Challenges + Solutions: Power supply

Charging cordsExtra batteriesPower Inn: 250 unit charging station

Challenges:

Further Informationhttp://www.users.miamioh.edu/witherre/highedweb2013/

witherre@miamioh.edu