IPods and virtual tours in libraries

May 1, 2009 8:14 AM

My library is in the process of creating a virtual tour that we would like to pre-load onto a few IPod Nanos for students to check out. I've read a couple of interesting articles which discuss the implementation of such a project. But the one thing I cannot seem to find anything about is if there is a way to lockdown or protect the IPods while circulating so that students cannot try to add or remove content synced to the IPod.

Having an IPod myself, I am aware that if a student were to try and add content to one of our IPods using their installed version of ITunes, the unit would have to be formatted to factory settings because it would already be tied to our library's ITunes software. But I wonder if there is some software option that would make this process easier on our circulation staff. Additionally, is there a way to sync several IPods to one computer with each unit having the same content? I'm envisioning several IPods connected to a USB hub that can sync to the same machine. Thanks to anyone with experience on this matter who can provide some insight.

posted by jingo74 to technology (3 comments total)

But I wonder if there is some software option that would make this process easier on our circulation staff.

Pretty much any media management software that isn't iTunes will let you easily update multiple iPods with the same content. WinAMP is my first choice for this operation. This Apple support page also gives a few methods for updating multiple iPods from one computer, if you must stick with iTunes. Method 3 may be your best bet there.
posted by carsonb at 8:33 AM on May 1

We're doing the same thing (except with iTouches) in my library and the easiest way I've found is to just manage each iTouch individually. It's pretty easy to synch stuff up and the only time I use a hub is for mass charging. But we're only doing 10, so your mileage may vary.

As for students meddling with them, we've instead opted for a longer checkout process that includes the students signing a statement that they agree not to try and remove/add any content to the iTouches under threat of extreme unction. Or a fine. Or us scowling or something.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:08 AM on May 1

We currently have a setup with a video tour/intro to our library using 30 iPods Touch. The setup I designed uses one older iMac as the "hub" for all our content we wish to sync to the ipods, and 5 seven-port USB 2.0 powered hubs, all contained in a rolling laptop cart.

The iMac can be subscribed to our podcast channel, or any podcast/content that we want can be loaded on it. When a student returns an iPod to us, we just plug it in, the iMac syncs it, and we're good to go.

If you want to add new content that isn't an existing podcast, you do have to manually tell each Touch that you want it to now include X, but so far it's worked really well for us.

Contact info is in my profile if you want more details. But we've had no problems at all with 20 ipods all syncing to the same Mac.
posted by griffey at 1:52 PM on May 1