Hublet helped Redbridge Central Library, London, in the UK, provide digital newspaper and magazine app content to their customers on a self-service basis using Hublet Tablets, allowing for greater mobility around the library.
Read Newspapers and Magazines Digitally on Hublet Tablets
We interviewed Tom Blackwell, Systems Improvement and Project Manager at Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure, about his experiences with Hublets.
Our goal was to enable our customers to access a wider range of our digital content, such as newspapers, magazines, and tablet apps, which is more suited to tablets rather than desktop PCs within the library.
“Hublets also provide an alternative to logging in on desktops for quick browsing or where full PC functionality isn’t required. Hublets allow our customers to be more mobile around the library,” shared Tom Blackwell.
We had tried other tablets in the past and had issues with both theft and device management. The security benefits of the Hublets, as opposed to standard tablets, were a huge bonus.
“Hublets can be used anywhere in the library without being locked down at a desk. They can be borrowed self-service with library card authentication, so we can tell who has a Hublet at any time,” explained Blackwell.
Although we would encourage everyone to give the Hublets a go, we were particularly keen to get people using our Newspaper and Magazine apps. These apps allow us to give access to a much more comprehensive selection of Newspapers and Magazines than we can stock in hardcopy. It’s a more natural way to browse these resources than on our desktop PCs.
Over the past few years, new technology has been introduced across the board in the UK, and some businesses are struggling to keep up. Redbridge Libraries have continued to adapt and develop in the new digital era, introducing an array of new technologies that have been released.
From virtual reality to coding and augmented reality to learning to use a computer for the first time, we believe that part of a library's role in this modern era is to keep up with the times and encourage our customers to learn and participate in our digital products.
“Tablets have always been a problem to introduce so freely in libraries due to how easy it is to steal them; however, Hublet technology has broken that barrier,” Blackwell concluded.
Hublets device management is easy to use and requires minimal training. Overall, the staff's response has been very positive.
“Hublet requires minimal training and expertise and is incredibly user-friendly. Staff have encouraged customers to try Hublets and integrate them into our customer journey. The whole system and setup are intuitive for staff and library users,” said Blackwell.
Our Hublets offer access to newspaper/magazine apps, e-book apps, and everyday social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Microsoft Office apps. We are constantly reviewing customers' needs and plan to offer more accessibility to learning and playing. We have also developed a new, innovative community events app that will allow the local community to display their events to a wider audience free of charge—a virtual noticeboard.
“We have discussed our Hublets on social media and displayed posters around the libraries. We are looking to do more soon to increase their usage,” explained Blackwell.
We try to keep the Hublets as close to the front desk as possible, allowing our team to show our customers what Hublets are and how they can be used.
“We also have a set in our business hub, Hub Central, at Redbridge Central Library and are monitoring the benefits Hublets provide to new and start-up businesses,” said Blackwell.
Thinking about introducing tablets into your own business? Contact us for more information!
