What's Going on After Six Years in Circulation with eReaders, Kindles and iPads?

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/vpzi9

 

Six years ago we began the digital e-Reader journey at the Lake Worth Campus at Palm Beach State College.  Since the inception of our Kindle 1st Generation inventory in Circulation, we have added close to 100 devices including the Kindle Fire, Nook Color, iPad 1st Generation and iPad Air.

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/mxdei

In the two months of September and October alone we have two teachers using the Kindle Fire for three class assignments.

 

Professor Salvatore Manuele teaches Human Resources Management-MAN3301.  He has given the students a deadline of September 26th to read three chapters of  The 2010 Meltdown: Solving the Impending Jobs Crisis by Edward E. Gordon.  Technical Services is quick in processing, purchasing and downloading titles from Amazon.  Teachers and students have exactly what they need when they need it most of the time!

 

Dr. Richard Shepardson teaches Advanced Reading-EAP1620 and has worked closely with the library these past years to enhance student's reading skills using technology and our Kindles. He has a group project Oct. 2nd and requested 6 Kindle Fires to do a Key Word Search project in groups in the classroom using the title The Language of Flowers.

 

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, is this year's  winning title for the Read Together Palm Beach County 2014 program.

Image Credit: http://readtogether.palmbeachpost.com/

The book Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is the next reading Kindle project for

Dr. Shepardson's EAP1620 class.

 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/j6a7e

Breaking Night by Liz Murray is this year's Common Reader for First Year Experience students at Palm Beach State College. We've added several copies to our Kindle devices to assist students in the Introduction to the College Experience-SLS1501 classes.

The Kindles are 7 day loans with no renewals. After a class project the students are still allowed to borrow a Kindle to continue reading the title introduced in class or the many other titles available.

 

Image Credit: http://readtogether.palmbeachpost.com/

 

In the past we've added the Read Together Palm Beach County winning titles including the runner ups for students, faculty and staff to enjoy on these Kindle devices.

iPad Air-Mac Mini-Bretford PowerSync Cart

 

 

We have added 14 NEW iPad Air devices for the library installed in a Bretford PowerSync Cart to maintain the devices.  After using the 1st Generation iPads for the last 4 years, it's going to be an exciting journey to implement these into our already growing supply of  iPads, eReaders and tablets.  These include the 1st generation Kindles, 1st generation iPads, Kindle2's, Kindle3's, DX,  B/W Sony and Nook, Kindle Fire and the Nook Color.

 

 

 

7.5 millimeters thin-weighs one pound

 

 

 

The Retina display sits inside thinner bezels with a very sleek enclosure!

 

9.7" Display

2048x1536 Resolution

5m iSight with front Facetime HD camera

A7 chip, M7 coprocessor

 

 

 

All pictures above-Image Credit: http://www.apple.com/ipad-air/

 

 Dual microphones improve audio and suppress background noise for video recording, FaceTime calls, and voice recognition using Siri.

 

 How to maintain so many?
The Bretford Power Sync cart for iPads!

Image Credit: http://www.apple.bretford.com/products/powersynccartforipad

The PowerSync Cart for iPad stores, charges, syncs, and transports up to 30 iPad devices at one time. This cart also keeps our content in sync with our iTunes® library via the Mac Mini.

The cart connects our 14 iPad Air devices to our Mac Mini, at the same time installs apps, books, videos, music, and Podcasts to each iPad, according to our requirements.

As we process these devices for student loans in Tech Services, we will post our progress.  We received the 1st generation iPad's on opening day, April 3, 2010.  Presently these iPads are circulated overnight for student loans.  All other eReaders and tablets are available as 7 day loans.

 

New Nook HD, Nook Tablet, Glowing Nook, Simple Touch

Eleven Nooks to choose from, including the original Nook Color.


All images this page Image Credit: http://alturl.com/uyket

We have so many remarkable choices now for libraries loaning eReaders and tablets. So many great devices for any size library budget.

 

 We have the Nook Color, the B/W original Nooks and two B/W Sony's. We have iPads, Kindle Fires, original K1's, K2's, K3's and Kindle DX. Students are really fascinated with our collection.

For those libraries just getting started in this ever changing technological arena, it's the training of staff and scheduling maintenance that's important to consider in your purchases, not just the cost of the device.  We have been implementing eReaders since 2008. As the devices get more sophisticated, the more time required updating and cleaning the internal devices.

With Amazon coming out with new Kindle models and Apple announcing a possible 7" iPad Oct. 23rd, it will make the choice even more difficult. I would like to stay within the area of Kindles, Nooks and iPads to help keep some sense of stability with our inventory. Not that we wouldn't try a new company's device, but for now, our inventory is servicing our needs quite well for students, faculty and staff.

 

Next blog:

New Kindles and the New Smaller iPad



Nook HD+ 9" screen
 

Nook Tablet 7" touchscreen
8GB $179
16GB $199

The Glowing Nook
Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight $119
6" Touchscreen 7 oz.

Nook Simple Touch B/W $99

Nook Color 7"
$149
Original price last Fall...$199

 

 

 

iPads vs. Kindles vs. Nooks-2012





Image Credit: http://alturl.com/6whj8

"With ultra-affordable e-ink readers, mid-priced color tablets like the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet, and even the more expensive iPads all vying for your e-book dollar, what's the best choice for you? It depends." This quote from CNET's John Falcone

Image Credit:  http://alturl.com/n75j5

Many students, faculty, staff, and neighbors ask me almost every day...."What eReader or tablet do you like most? or "Which one should I buy?"  These are difficult questions to answer if we don't know their lifestyle and budget. My first question is budget, second question is,  "Are you going to read 90% of the time or use the internet, social networking and email most of the time?"  Third question, "Do you want to replace your laptop?"

Now that the market place has a  nice variety of good quality devices under $200, it's time for consumers to do their homework.  No guessing!  Go to the different stores and try each device.  Go to the library or at home and do some internet research.  Go back to the store and look at your top three choices. 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/dxb3c

 

I have found several good web sites they might help you get started.  Take notes and ask all your friends and neighbors what they like. Make a 'pros and cons' list. You might not find anyone to loan you one, unless you try a library.  You might find that you are a trusted friend indeed if someone loaned you their precious device, because after you have your own, you won't let it go.  Good luck on your adventure into the digital eReader world!

 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/q5hi6, http://store.apple.com/us

 

"Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad:

Which e-book reader should you buy?"

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/dxb3c

May 5th, 2012 CNET

by John Falcone

http://alturl.com/6whj8 

 

"I want my kids to read.
They want to play games."
2nd device purchase? 

Quote and Image Credit: http://wearebothright.com/2012/05/ipads-kindles-and-nooks/



 

Readers who don't want to share their eReader/tablet/iPad with their kids or grandkids. What 2nd device to purchase? Can they find a device that could meet both of these requirements?

 

Quote from Tracy from her blog, We Are Both Right.

"The iPad was the first to be eliminated. I deemed it too expensive and too heavy for little hands prone to dropping things. Yes, there are many cool book apps. However, my goal was to get them to read first and then shoot birds across the screen later. Book apps aside, there’s just too many other media offerings on the iPad to distract my children from reading." 

Many of us believe that good readers make great students.

  Good parenting skills Tracy!

See her blog below for more tips!

http://wearebothright.com/2012/05/ipads-kindles-and-nooks/

Apple Rumors: 8 inch iPad? 3 different iPad3's? 8 GB iPad? Dual processor iPad3? iPad 2S or iPad 2X? Apple Announcement on March 7th

Apple Event in San Francisco March 7th

Image Credit:http://http://alturl.com/gndif

We have found so countless rumors concerning the March 7th announcement for the new iPad3 release concerning the level, mid-range and high-end market divisions.  Maybe an 8 inch iPad, 8GB iPad2  or iPad3, iPad2s or iPad2x and the new iPad3 with dual processor...Quad core A6 CPU or Logic Board with A5X?

 The rumor mill is endless!

 The competition with the new Kindle Fire's and Nook Color, size and price seems to be key.  Rather than rehash these rumors in this blog, click on the links below that interest you and review the rumors.  Let's see which ones come true. We will be on Spring Break at Palm Beach State College the week of the big announcement and we will get back to this blog the week of March 12.

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gndif

Feb. 29th Apple rumored to release 3 different versions of iPad3.

From CBS News "techtalk", we find the latest 'new' rumors surfacing of three possible models of iPad 3. The link below reports that 9to5Mac is claiming sources close to Apple revealed this information. This also cites earlier speculation by DigiTimes that Apple gave two versions of the new tablet to "upstream partners for development," code, called J1 and J2.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-57387950-501465/apple-may-release-three-versions-of-ipad-3/



March 1st  iPad News from DigiTimes

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20120229PD220.html

Feb. 14th- 8 inch iPad?

http://blogs.denverpost.com/techknowbytes/2012/02/14/tablet-news-8-inch-ipad-and-galaxy-note-release-date/3280/

Feb. 22nd

Rumor mill is endless... Quad core A6 CPU  or Logic Board with A5X

http://ziarra.net/2012/02/22/ipad-3-specs-release-date-and-other-rumors/




Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gndif

 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/x85r2


Feb. 9th

Thicker and Sharper?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-57373866-501465/apple-ipad-3-rumors-thicker-sharper-coming-soon/

Feb. 10th $299-$399 iPad2?

Analysts are predicting that Apple will lower the price of the iPad 2 when they the release the iPad 3.

http://www.fiercecio.com/techwatch/story/apples-ipad-3-will-be-unveiled-first-week-march-says-report/2012-02-10

Feb. 21st- iPad User Satisfaction Chart



Image Credit: http://alturl.com/cykb7

Feb. 21-Office for iPad?
http://blogs.computerworld.com/19754/apple_ipad_3_retina_display_rumors_intensify_office_for_ipad_imminent

Feb. 10th-Apple's iPad 3 will be unveiled first week of March, says report - FierceCIO:TechWatch

http://www.fiercecio.com/techwatch/story/apples-ipad-3-will-be-unveiled-first-week-march-says-report/2012-02-10#ixzz1nKMZwYv7



Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gndif



Cast your vote for 2012 Read Together Program by Feb. 24th-EAP Class Semester Loan Project and our NEW Kindle Fire and NookColor devices

We have added 25 Kindle Fires and 15 Nook Color devices to our eReader/tablet collection.

  



Nook Color  

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/fepfp



Kindle Fire
Image Credit: http://alturl.com/2x5jm


These are the new titles below that we have purchased to help students, faculty and staff cast their vote for the 2012 Read Together Palm Beach County Campaign.
Vote by Feb. 24.
Cast your vote in our library on either floor two or floor three, or at their web site below.  March 12th will be the announcement for the 2012 book choice.
http://readtogether.palmbeachpost.com/

  

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Image Credits: http://readtogether.palmbeachpost.com/

Nook Color and Kindle Fire devices are

7 day loans.

Dr. Richard Shepardson is Palm Beach State's EAP Cluster Chair. He is working with our library this semester to promote reading using eReaders in his EAP 0420 classes, with approximately 25 students in all. Students will have the opportunity to use a Kindle Fire and/or a Nook Color this semester. We hope to receive a lot of feedback from students concerning their likes and dislikes about each device.




Image Credit: http://alturl.com/3uxeg

 

Tech Services added a new book, The Appointment, to each Kindle Fire and Nook Color, to start off the semester. If students find other books they would like to read, with Dr. Shepardson's approval, we will download these requests. We are very excited about these new devices and hope this program will bring many excellent books to our fiction collection.




Image Credit: http://alturl.com/ou422

 The Year of the Flood is assigned reading by one of our teachers.  Students are very pleased that they can check out a Kindle Fire to take home for this assignment.

Kindle Fire vs. Nook Color Semester Class Project

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/fobud


Dr. Richard Shepardson is Palm Beach State's EAP Cluster Chair.  He is working with our library this semester to promote reading using eReaders in his EAP 0420 classes, with approximately 25 students in all. Students will have the opportunity to use a Kindle Fire and/or a Nook Color this semester. We hope to receive a lot of feedback from students concerning their likes and dislikes about each device.

Tech Services added a new book, The Appointment, to each Kindle Fire to start off the 1st class this Monday.  If students find other books they would like to read, with Dr. Shepardson's approval, we will download these requests. We are very excited about this new device and hope it will bring many excellent books to our fiction collection.



Image Credit: http://alturl.com/jmtpc



The Kindle Fire Wi-Fi connection is easy with our college system.  Students sign in with their Panther Web ID and password. Off campus they can connect using any Wi-Fi system at their disposal without their college sign in information.   For students assigned or approved reading, once the book has been purchased and downloaded by our library staff, students can read anywhere without Wi-Fi.

Image Credit: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-color-barnes-noble/1100437663

We are unpacking boxes of Nook Color devices today in Tech Services and processing these new devices for students in Dr. Shepardson's class for check out..  
We will post more information about this remarkable semester project very soon.