[Web4lib] Wireless Device for providing roving service?

[Fifarek, Aimee]

Peter -

we've recently purchased a half dozen HP 2710p notebooks with the idea of eventually using them for roving.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/321957-321957-64295-321838-306995-3355644.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

I went this way because they can be used either as notebooks or as tablet PCs - the screen swivels around and folds flat.  This way they can be used for a variety of purposes both by people who are comfortable with tablets and those that aren't.  Since they weigh in at less than 4lbs they're pretty easy to carry around.  Right now they are being used for staff training and outreach.  Unfortunately, since things don't look good for the funding for our staff wireless network, that may be all they're being used for for awhile.

-- Aimee

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Message: 9

Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 13:06:46 -0700

From: "Peter Schoenberg" <PSchoenberg at EPL.CA>

Subject: [Web4lib] Wireless Device for providing roving service?

To: <web4lib at webjunction.org>

Message-ID: <497AD7CB28DA1245BD7D44D5F1ECB5D7055D6C7E at TRINITY.epl.ca>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I would love to hear what devices are being used to provide roving (within library) service to customers.

Now that wireless is in place within our locations for public use, we are considering options for letting staff provide service wirelessly.

(Wireless network security and separation of staff vs public traffic will be taken care of, my question is about the physical devices)

Simply having a browser to navigate the website and catalogue would be one key functionality.

Some options that have been discussed in our preliminary conversations:

1) PDA with wireless - certainly portable, but small screen size is a challenge

2) Tablet PC - good for screen size

3) Laptop - getting heavier, but full functionality and keyboard

4) Vendor software / device - e.g. SIRSI's PocketCirc application, which has full circ functions

Would like to hear what your experiences have been or what your investigations are leading you towards.

We are a 16 location public library, with a large range of building, collection and staffing sizes.

Thanks

Peter

__________________________________________________

Peter Schoenberg                  (780) 496 1855

Director - eServices - Edmonton Public Library

                           www.epl.ca       <outbind://65/www.epl.ca      >  

 
Aimee Fifarek
Library Technology Supervisor
Scottsdale Public Library System
3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480-312-7060
480-312-7993
afifarek at scottsdaleaz.gov