Primary Research Group has published The Survey of the Use of Tablet Computers by Academic & Special Libraries, ISBN 978-1-57440-232-2.

This special 80+ page report is based on data from 78 academic and special libraries and looks closely at how they are using tablet computers. It helps librarians and information technology personnel to answer such questions as: what type of libraries are using tablets? What are they using them for? Which library departments are benefiting the most from tablet use? How are tablets integrated into use of digitized special collections? Which brands of tablet are most popular? What are buying plans for the future? What stock of tablets do libraries have and how fast do they plan to expand this stock? How have tablets affected their ebook acquisition plans? What kind of apps do they use or develop for their tablets? Do they loan out tablets to patrons? On what terms? How long can patrons borrow them? Have they had losses due to theft? What is their overall budget for tablets and app development?

Just a few of the report's many findings are that:

• 34% of the academic libraries in the sample loan out tablets to library patrons
• Academic libraries in the sample plan to spend a mean of $2,210 on tablet computers in the next year
• The number of tablets owned by the libraries in the sample ranged from 0 to 34
• A majority of the libraries preferred the iPad over other brands for its availability of apps, readability and high level of demand from patrons. However, several libraries disliked the iPad because of lack of durability and high price
• 12% of academic libraries have had a tablet computer stolen or lost by a patron

The report is available in print and PDF format for $75.00. Site licenses cost $169.00. To view a table of contents, list of participants, and sample data, or to order a copy of the report, please visit our website at www.PrimaryResearch.com.