Lessons from a Tablet Learning Community at the University of Kansas Libraries

Abstract

Technology continues to transform the way library users find, access, and use information. The use of tablets and other mobile devices for educational purposes has soared since the iPad was introduced in 2010. Faculty and students increasingly connect to library provided electronic content through mobile devices. This trend demands that academic librarians be proficient in the use of mobile technology if they are to be effective in supporting the research needs of the university community. The presenters organized a yearlong Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) in the University of Kansas Libraries in order to assist librarians build proficiency in using tablet devices and to explore the potential application of tablets to various types of library work. Through discussion sessions, assigned tasks, reflective journals, and a survey, participants documented and shared their experiences of learning how to use their tablets and how they applied tablets to work related tasks. Data and feedback about tablet usage and experiences were collected from three main sources: 1) participants’ online journals; 2) CLC meeting notes; and 3) a formal survey, which was administered at the end of the project and aggregated participants’ experiences across a series of data points, including usage patterns, benefits, technical issues, perceptions, and specific applications. This presentation will discuss our findings and offer recommendations for incorporating tablets into library work flow.