Academic libraries have vastly increased their stock of laptops and other mobile computing devices during the pandemic. Does this represent a fundamental shift in computer use in academic libraries, or merely a temporary shift? This study helps answer this question as well as many others. Such as: What is the stock of laptops maintained by academic libraries? How fast has it grown in recent years? What are the plans for the future? Which brands and capabilities are most favored? What is the stock of tablets and how fast has it grown? What about smartphones, wearable computing and other mobile technology - do they have a role in the library? How much are libraries spending on mobile computing and what are their plans for the future? In addition to the data on numbers and spending on various forms of mobile computing, the report looks at the impact on workstation use and deployment, as well as the terms and conditions for lending out mobile computing to students? How long are the typical lending periods? What is the replacement cycle for laptops? What kind of mobile computing technology is issued to library staff.
Just a few of the findings from this comprehensive 80-page report are that:
- Colleges with fewer than 2000 students provided a mean of 17.75 laptops in the library.
- The increase in laptop provision in 2021 was much higher for public than private colleges.
- For private colleges, 69.33% of laptop loans made by libraries to patrons were for one day or less.
- For community colleges, a mean of 39.88% of staff had a library issued laptop.
- Community college libraries purchased more tablets than did any other type of college library.
- For 28.57% of research universities sampled, the replacement cycle for laptops was 3 years.
Data in the report was provided by 46 colleges and universities; data is broken out by size and type of college, by tuition level, and for public and private colleges.
Table of Contents
1. THE QUESTIONNAIRE
2. PARTICIPANTS LIST
- Characteristics of the Sample
3. SUMMARY OF MAIN FINDINGS
- Number of Laptops Available for Patron Use 2020
- Number of Laptops Made Available for Patron Use, 2021
- Number of Laptops Expected to be Made Available for Patron Use, 2022
- Impact of the Pandemic on Laptop Use in the Academic Library
- Forecast for Laptop Use in the Academic Library Over the Next Five Years
- Maximum Length of Time Patrons are Allowed to Check Out Laptops
- Percentage of Laptop Loans that Are One Day or Less
- Percentage of Full Time Library Staff Issued Laptops
- Replacement Cycle for Laptops Issued to Library Staff
- Criteria for Issuing Laptops to Library Staff
- Favored Laptops Brands and the Number Possessed by the Library
- Percentage of Library Staff Issued Smartphones
- Issuance of Tablets to Library Staff
- Issuance of Smartwatches or other Wearable Computing to Library Staff
- Brands of Tablets Issued to Library Staff
- Library Spending on Tablets in the Past Year
- Library Stock of Tablets, 2020
- Library Purchases of Tablets
- Library Tracking of Patron Use of Laptops
- How the Library Tracks Patron Use of Laptops
- Actual Replacement Cycle for Library Laptops
- Features Sought After in Future Purchases of Laptops and Other Mobile Computing
- Spending on Laptops in 2019-20
- Spending on Laptops in 2020-21
- Expected Spending on Laptops in 2021-22
- View of the Future of Use of Laptops Vs. Desktops in Academic Libraries
List of Tables
Table 1 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons?
Table 1.1.1 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2020 (pre-pandemic)?
Table 1.1.2 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2020 (pre-pandemic)? Broken out by public or private college
Table 1.1.3 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2020 (pre-pandemic)? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 1.1.4 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2020 (pre-pandemic)? Broken out by enrollment
Table 1.1.5 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2020 (pre-pandemic)? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 1.2.1 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2021?
Table 1.2.2 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2021? Broken out by public or private college
Table 1.2.3 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2021? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 1.2.4 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2021? Broken out by enrollment
Table 1.2.5 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2021? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 1.3.1 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2022 (anticipated)?
Table 1.3.2 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2022 (anticipated)? Broken out by public or private college
Table 1.3.3 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2022 (anticipated)? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 1.3.4 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2022 (anticipated)? Broken out by enrollment
Table 1.3.5 How many laptops does the library have available for loan or otherwise for use by library patrons in 2022 (anticipated)? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
How did the pandemic impact laptop use at your library? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
In your view what will happen to your library's stock and type of laptops over the next five years? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
What is the maximum length of time a library patron is allowed to check out a laptop? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 2.1 What percentage of laptop loans are for one day or less?
Table 2.2 What percentage of laptop loans are for one day or less? Broken out by public or private college
Table 2.3 What percentage of laptop loans are for one day or less? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 2.4 What percentage of laptop loans are for one day or less? Broken out by enrollment
Table 2.5 What percentage of laptop loans are for one day or less? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 3.1 What percentage of full time library staff have been issued laptops?
Table 3.2 What percentage of full time library staff have been issued laptops? Broken out by public or private college
Table 3.3 What percentage of full time library staff have been issued laptops? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 3.4 What percentage of full time library staff have been issued laptops? Broken out by enrollment
Table 3.5 What percentage of full time library staff have been issued laptops? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
For library staff that have been issued laptops, about how often are they replaced with new models? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 4.1 For library staff that have been issued laptops, about how often are they replaced with new models?
Table 4.2 For library staff that have been issued laptops, about how often are they replaced with new models? Broken out by public or private college
Table 4.3 For library staff that have been issued laptops, about how often are they replaced with new models? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 4.4 For library staff that have been issued laptops, about how often are they replaced with new models? Broken out by enrollment
Table 4.5 For library staff that have been issued laptops, about how often are they replaced with new models? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
What are the criteria for issuing laptops to library staff? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
What brands are favored for laptop purchases for staff and, approximately, how many of each does the library have? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 5 Has the library issued any of the following to staff
Table 5.1.1 Has the library issued smartphones?
Table 5.1.2 Has the library issued smartphones? Broken out by public or private college
Table 5.1.3 Has the library issued smartphones? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 5.1.4 Has the library issued smartphones? Broken out by enrollment
Table 5.1.5 Has the library issued smartphones? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 5.2.1 Has the library issued tablets?
Table 5.2.2 Has the library issued tablets? Broken out by public or private college
Table 5.2.3 Has the library issued tablets? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 5.2.4 Has the library issued tablets? Broken out by enrollment
Table 5.2.5 Has the library issued tablets? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 5.3.1 Has the library issued smartwatches/wearable computing?
Table 5.3.2 Has the library issued smartwatches/wearable computing? Broken out by public or private college
Table 5.3.3 Has the library issued smartwatches/wearable computing? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 5.3.4 Has the library issued smartwatches/wearable computing? Broken out by enrollment
Table 5.3.5 Has the library issued smartwatches/wearable computing? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
What brands of tablet and other non-laptop mobile computing devices does the library use? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 6.1 How much did the library (or the college in the name of the library) spend (in US $) for tablets in the past year?
Table 6.2 How much did the library (or the college in the name of the library) spend (in US $) for tablets in the past year? Broken out by public or private college
Table 6.3 How much did the library (or the college in the name of the library) spend (in US $) for tablets in the past year? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 6.4 How much did the library (or the college in the name of the library) spend (in US $) for tablets in the past year? Broken out by enrollment
Table 6.5 How much did the library (or the college in the name of the library) spend (in US $) for tablets in the past year? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 7 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in each of the following academic years?
Table 7.1.1 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2019-20?
Table 7.1.2 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2019-20? Broken out by public or private college
Table 7.1.3 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2019-20? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 7.1.4 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2019-20? Broken out by enrollment
Table 7.1.5 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2019-20? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 7.2.1 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2020-21?
Table 7.2.2 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2020-21? Broken out by public or private college
Table 7.2.3 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2020-21? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 7.2.4 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2020-21? Broken out by enrollment
Table 7.2.5 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2020-21? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 7.3.1 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2021-22 (anticipated)?
Table 7.3.2 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2021-22 (anticipated)? Broken out by public or private college
Table 7.3.3 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2021-22 (anticipated)? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 7.3.4 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2021-22 (anticipated)? Broken out by enrollment
Table 7.3.5 What is (will be) the library's stock of tablets in 2021-22 (anticipated)? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 8.1 Does the library track in any way library patron use of laptops?
Table 8.2 Does the library track in any way library patron use of laptops? Broken out by public or private college
Table 8.3 Does the library track in any way library patron use of laptops? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 8.4 Does the library track in any way library patron use of laptops? Broken out by enrollment
Table 8.5 Does the library track in any way library patron use of laptops? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
If the library tracks patron use of laptops, how does it do so? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 9.1 What is actual replacement cycle for laptops used in the library?
Table 9.2 What is actual replacement cycle for laptops used in the library? Broken out by public or private college
Table 9.3 What is actual replacement cycle for laptops used in the library? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 9.4 What is actual replacement cycle for laptops used in the library? Broken out by enrollment
Table 9.5 What is actual replacement cycle for laptops used in the library? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
As you look forward to new purchases or upgrades of your current laptops and other mobile computing devices, what features or characteristics are you interested in upgrading or acquiring? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 10 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in each of the following years:
Table 10.1.1 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2019-20 academic year?
Table 10.1.2 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2019-20 academic year? Broken out by public or private college
Table 10.1.3 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2019-20 academic year? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 10.1.4 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2019-20 academic year? Broken out by enrollment
Table 10.1.5 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2019-20 academic year? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 10.2.1 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2020-21 academic year?
Table 10.2.2 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2020-21 academic year? Broken out by public or private college
Table 10.2.3 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2020-21 academic year? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 10.2.4 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2020-21 academic year? Broken out by enrollment
Table 10.2.5 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2020-21 academic year? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 10.3.1 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2021-22 academic year (anticipated)?
Table 10.3.2 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2021-22 academic year (anticipated)? Broken out by public or private college
Table 10.3.3 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2021-22 academic year (anticipated)? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 10.3.4 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2021-22 academic year (anticipated)? Broken out by enrollment
Table 10.3.5 What has been the library's total approximate spending (in US $) on laptops for both staff and patrons in 2021-22 academic year (anticipated)? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Table 11.1 Which phrase best describes your view of the likely future of library supplied laptops vs. desktops in your library?
Table 11.2 Which phrase best describes your view of the likely future of library supplied laptops vs. desktops in your library? Broken out by public or private college
Table 11.3 Which phrase best describes your view of the likely future of library supplied laptops vs. desktops in your library? Broken out by tuition, $
Table 11.4 Which phrase best describes your view of the likely future of library supplied laptops vs. desktops in your library? Broken out by enrollment
Table 11.5 Which phrase best describes your view of the likely future of library supplied laptops vs. desktops in your library? Broken out by type of Carnegie Class
Samples
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Sources / Contributors
- Antelope Valley College Library
- Arkansas Tech University
- Aston University
- Bronx Community College
- Bryan College
- Cape Fear Community College
- Carl Sandburg College
- Danville Area Community College Library
- Delta College
- Dickinson State University
- Dixie State University
- Edmonds College
- Frederick Community College
- Glen Oaks Community College
- Gower College Swansea
- Gumberg Library Duquesne University
- Hawkeye Community College
- Helena College - University of Montana
- Hilbert College
- Hugh Baird College
- Hutchins Library: Berea College
- ISU
- Jackson State Community College
- Lee College
- Marymount Manhattan College
- McKendree University
- Molloy College
- Northeastern State University
- Northwest Arkansas Community College
- Saint Mary's College of California
- Santa Fe Community College
- Seattle University
- Seminole State College of Florida
- Southwest Texas Junior College
- Southwestern Adventist University
- State Fair Community College
- SUNY Brockport
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Texas A&M University-Central Texas
- University of British Columbia
- University of Hawaii at Hilo
- University of Louisiana at Monroe
- University of North Dakota
- University of South Florida
- UWM - Milwaukee Campus
- Wilkes University
Methodology
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