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April 2011 201 C&RL News

In theIn the

Welcome to the April 2011 issue of C&RL 
News. As new mobile technologies such as 
tablets continue to increase in popularity, 
many libraries are experimenting with ways 
to incorporate these devices into their servic-
es. Sara Q. Thompson outlines the Briar Cliff 
University Bishop Mueller Library’s success at 
checking out tablets for patron use in her ar-
ticle “Setting up an iPad program.”

Librarians at Southern Illinois University are 
incorporating iPads into their roving reference 
initiatives. Megan Lotts and Stephanie Graves 
discuss the program in their article “Using the iPad 
for reference services.” With the large number of 
choices available, selecting apps for library iPads 
and other mobile devices can be a daunting task. 
Lori Barile provides tips of app collection develop-
ment, along with creating and developing mobile 
Web sites, in this month’s Internet Resources 
column “Mobile technologies for libraries.”

Publisher ebook policies have been a major 
topic of discussion among librarians for the past 
couple of months. Jenni Terry outlines the work 

of ALA task forces chraged with examining elec-
tronic content issues in the Washington Hotline 
department.

Preserving institutional memory and his-
tory through special collections and archives 
is an essential function of college and univer-
sity libraries. Eddie Woodward makes “The 
case for a university archivist” in this issue’s 
The Way I See It essay.

Reacting to patron needs and providing 
just in time services can lead to a more nimble 
library. Erika L. Gavillet of Newcastle Univer-
sity writes about her library’s experiments 
with “The ‘just do it’ approach to customer 
service development” this month.

Make sure to check out the other features 
and columns this month, including the fi rst 
installment of our profi les of the 2011 ACRL 
award winners and the latest edition of the 
Job of a Lifetime column.

Thanks for reading the News.
—David Free, editor-in-chief

dfree@ala.org