[Web4lib] Wireless Device for providing roving service?

[Pennington, Buddy D.]

I would put the iPod Touch in the PDA with wireless category.  It is a
wonderful device but the small screen could pose a challenge to library
service delivery.  

Also, it does not support 802.1x, which is used on many campus wireless
networks (ones that ask students to log in for wireless access).
Probably not an issue for public libraries but it is a problem for many
academics.

Buddy Pennington 
Serial Acquisitions Librarian 
University of Missouri - Kansas City 
University Libraries 
800 E. 51st Street
Kansas City, MO  64110
816-235-1548

UMKC University Libraries: Discovery. Knowledge. Empowerment.



-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Mark Gooch
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:33 PM
To: PSchoenberg at EPL.CA; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Wireless Device for providing roving service?

What about the iPod Touch?

Thanks
Mark

Mark D. Gooch
Technology & Government Information Librarian
The College of Wooster Libraries
1140 Beall Avenue
Wooster, Ohio 44691
Phone: 330/263-2522
FAX: 330/263-2253 
mgooch at wooster.edu
AIM: mgooch90
Yahoo! IM: mgooch1
>>> "Peter Schoenberg" <PSchoenberg at EPL.CA> 02/07/08 3:06 PM >>>
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       
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