Sonoma County Library announces the first launch in North America of Hublets – a cloud-based lending unit of tablets available for use with the library’s WIFI (within the library branches) to patrons on a self-service basis with a checkout and check-in process that is fully integrated into the library’s ILS system.

Hublet has made loaning tablets easy; library patrons self-service check out a tablet with their library card and PIN code. The attractive design makes the library’s digital material visible and easy to use. No longer tethered to a desktop PC, library patrons are free to use the tablets in any location within the WIFI area.

With the centralized software management tool, library staff have control of the device content, can centrally manage updates, and can set loan parameters.  When the tablets are returned to the Hublet base the tablet is locked into place, all end-user information from the previous user is deleted, and the unit is re-charged.

The Hublets come pre-loaded with a variety of useful library applications (Libby, Hoopla, PrinterOn) and games. Patrons are also free to use their own Google Play account to download their own applications and games. The applications and all patron information is deleted when the Hublet is returned to its base.

The Hublets are currently available at the Central, Guerneville, Northwest, Rincon Valley, Sebastopol and Windsor branches.  They will be available at all branches soon.