iPads & CSUDH

Last week a few librarians attended the iPad learning session, IPAD Basics and Course Application, hosted by the CSUDH Faculty Development Center along with Title V and Instructional Technology.  The session was quite informative as we learned how to make a movie using the iMovie app and link our iPad screens to classroom laptops so the tablet screen can be displayed on class projectors (Doceri and Reflector apps).  Other apps presented, or shared by attendees, included Notability, Good Reader, and CloudOn, along with those that keep track of our ever growing collection of online resources and documents such as Evernote or Dropbox.  These apps allow students and professors to easily integrate iPad features into course presentations or Blackboard posts.

iPads and other tablets are increasingly becoming more visible here at the University Library.  Students often have them out on desktops as they also work on their laptops or Library PCs.  Not only are tablets out, but smartphones are plugged in and calculators are visible.  As tablets become more common students will quickly discover the use and relevance of the many apps available.  To stay abreast of the literature on using iPads in the academic environment, be sure to search our Library databases for recent journal articles.  Use the Articles & E-Resources tab at the top of the search box on the Library homepage, inputting keywords such as iPad, teaching, faculty, or student to quickly get to relevant articles. The infographic  shown below provides an interesting synopsis on today's use of tablets.  

As students continue to interact with mobile and digital technology the University Library is working to expand access to digital materials.  Through the Affordable Learning Initiative of the Chancellor’s Office, the Library now has access to more than 150,000 eBooks accessible through EBSCOhost, Safari Books Online, and ebrary.  Many of these books are used as textbooks.  Students can not only read these materials on their desktop or laptop, but many can be downloaded to an iPad and a number of dedicated e-readers. 

And, to allow students to explore the many possibilities inherent in the applications of an iPad, the Library now loans out 30 iPad 2s for student use.  More information on the checkout program can be found here.  

Please feel free to post your comments on which iPad apps you find useful!  Let's start a conversation about what is working for you!


Click to see full size image
The infographic above was published on Aug. 21, 2012 as a blog post from OnlineUniversities.com.

High Activity in Computer Commons

The Library Computer Commons is seeing extremely high usage these days as Toros commit to completing final projects and papers, and gear up for final exams.  In the midst of all this activity, class instruction sessions are scheduled, printers crash, and the lost and found continues to collect items.

Even this late in the semester professors continue to request instruction sessions in research strategies and library services for their classes.  Upcoming sessions, held in the computer labs, will close one lab on Thursday, Nov. 29th from 8:00 am until 11:30 am and then again from 3:45 pm until 5:30 pm.  You can keep abreast of any additional closures on our Twitter feed, @CSUDHLib, or Facebook and Google+ pages at CSU Dominguez Hills Library. 

When the labs are closed, check for available desktop computers on the 3^rd floor of Library South, the 1^st floor of Library North in the Instructional Media Center and, of course, on the ground floor of Welch Hall, room 160.  You may also borrow laptops or iPads from the Laptop Loan Office.  The Laptop Loan Office, located on the 3^rd floor of Library South behind the elevators, serves current students in good standing and requires registration to participate in the loan program. 

With the increase in printing, printers occasionally jam or experience coin confusion.  Librarians and Library Services Specialists, located at the Information/Reference Desk, can handle most print issues and call upon Information Technology Specialists to assist when needed.  See the staff in the Laptop Loan Office to rectify issues with the 3^rd floor printer. 

Our lost and found collection is bulging with flash drives, glasses, clothing, keys, and more.  Stop by the Information/Reference Desk with your campus ID to check for and retrieve lost items.  And, make sure to grab all your belongings before leaving the Library.  Found items are turned over to campus police on a monthly basis.

Remember to keep calm, carry on, and give yourself extra time for study and library activities as we move towards finals week.  Go Toros!

Laptop Loan Office May/Summer Schedule

Laptop rentals and Group Study room checkouts will be unavailable from May 23rd through May 27th. However, the laptop loan office will still be open from the 23rd through the 25th for the return of equipment.

The office will be closed the 27th through the 30th, and will re-open for laptop and group study room checkouts throughout both summer sessions, from May 31st through August 19th.

Laptop Loan and Group Study Rooms

The last day to use the library's Laptop Loan and Group Study Room programs will be December 17th, 2010.

After this time, both programs will be closed to student use for maintenance during the winter break.

Group Study Room checkouts will resume the first day of the winter 2011 session, January 3, 2011.

Laptop checkouts will resume the first day of the spring 2011 semester, January 18, 2011.

Thank you for your understanding.