Week Two: Devices, Devices, Devices

This week we look in closer detail at the range of devices in the eLending Kit.  There are lots of devices on the market, so these are only an example of what’s available.  Some are “dedicated” eReaders (like the Sony Reader, the Kobo Touch and the Kindle Paperwhite).  Others are “multifunction” devices: “smartphones” (like the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy III in the kit) and tablets (like the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1).    The Kindle Fire in the kit has some of the features of a dedicated eReader with some of the features of a tablet.

Activity 1: Hands on:

Note: this activity can run across weeks two and three as you discover as many of the devices in the kit as time allows.

Choose one device. 

This week choose a device with which you are not familiar and spend a little time with it.  Choose a time when you are not going to be interrupted.  If it is possible, roster or book in a time so that all participating staff can have an opportunity to use the kit.  Depending on how you feel and how you prefer to learn with technology, you can watch one of the videos about the device and/or read support material before you use the device.  Check out the list of support material here.  If you’d like an overview of different types of devices go to the eLending Portal here.

Alternatively, find a colleague who is more familiar with that particular device and ask them to buddy you.  Or if you just prefer to jump right in – go ahead!

Here are things you can think about when playing with the device:

How does the device feel in your hand?  You might want to try it with and without the cover /case.  How does the weight and size compare with a book?

If the device is a dedicated eReader, open a book.  We have already loaded some classic free titles.   If the device is a smartphone or tablet, open one of the eReader applications such as Kobo, Kindle or Blio.  These eReading applications have already been loaded onto the devices and we have also downloaded some free titles for you.  Choose an app and open one of the free ebooks which we have already downloaded. 

What do you think of the text display?  Is it easy to read?  Is there a lot of glare?  Can it be read inside and outside in different light conditions?  Can the brightness and/or contrast be adjusted?

Try adjusting the typeface and font size.  Try out the bookmarks.

Try out the page turning facility.  How quickly do the pages refresh?

Is there a facility to make notes?  Is there a help facility?

Try out the dictionary.  Is there easy access to other information e.g. Wikipedia? 

Remember not all devices offer all functions. 

Try navigating the contents of a book.  Is it easy to move from chapter to chapter; to notes or appendices and then back to the main contents?  How does this compare to “navigating” a print book?

Look at your print collection.  What sort of books in your collection would you like to read using an eReader, tablet or smartphone.  Cookbooks, travel books, DIY books, non-fiction or fiction?

 

Note that different formats effect what can be done with the text e.g. how the text reflows when you change the size of the font.  The eReaders in the kit have been loaded with free content.  Depending on the book you are looking at and which application you are using you may be accessing a PDF, an EPUB, a BLIO file or a .AZW (Kindle/Amazon) file.    For example, on the Sony Reader (large eLK only) some of the titles are PDF and others are EPUB.  Compare some of the titles on the Sony Reader and see if you can see a difference in the way the text is displayed and reflows when you make adjustments.

If you are trying one of the smartphone or tablets have a look at Blio.  This supports colour and images and therefore lends itself to different types of material (e.g. children’s, pictorial) as well as supporting text to voice features. 

Think also about the device itself.  If you have time and are interested you can have a look at Apple’s accessibility information regarding the iPhone and iPad here.

You can find out more about eReading and accessibility in the eLending portal here. 

You can find out more about  available eReading formats in the eLending portal here.

Repeat this hands-on exercise with as many devices in the kit as you can over the next few weeks.   Next time try a different type of device.  If you first tried a dedicated eReader, try reading on a smartphone or a tablet.  If you have tried one of the apps on the smartphone or tablet, try another one.  Which do prefer?

We are interested to know what you think about the devices.  When you have played with one, please complete this very quick survey and tell us how you rate the device in terms of reading comfort and ease of use here.  When we have enough data we will publish your views!

 

Activity 2: A little light reading:

There was a time when tweeting was what birds did, the cloud meant it might rain and tablets were something you got from the chemist.  There is no doubt that eReading and technology have changed the English language! This week’s reading challenge is to practice your techno-speak. 

Try the glossary of terms on the eLending Portal here.

There are lots of dictionaries of technology on the internet.

Try the Gartner glossary here.  

Also, don’t forget that you can always get a definition from Google by typing define in front of a word, e.g. define smartphone.  

Activity 3: Start a conversation:

How many of your colleagues in your library have been asked about eReaders by your clients?   Clients sometimes approach the library for assistance in choosing an eReader or assistance in using an eReader or other device that they have bought or been given as a present.  Enquires go up after Fathers’ Day, Mothers’ Day and Christmas.  How does your library handle these enquiries?   Choice regularly reviews consumer technology products.  If you have Choice in your library, look at some of their reviews.  Or see the brief free summary online here.   Note the things Choice is looking for when they test eReaders.  This article attracted more than 240 comments, so which device to choose is a hot topic!