At Nova Southeastern University, Health Professions Division (HPD) Library, we began circulating iPads to HPD faculty & staff in August, 2011. We've had great success with the program thus far, and soon we will circulate to students as well. The circulation process was tricky to set up at first, but runs very smoothly now. We started this pilot project by developing a workflow for the initial set up of the iPads (we pre-load them with medical, production, news, education apps). Then, we created a Borrower Agreement, which everyone signs before checking out the iPads. Of course, our University Attorney checked over the document to make sure it was legal :) We also decided on circulation procedures specific to iPad check out and check in. The iPads were cataloged and received bar codes so they circulate via ILS.
We used one computer as a designated iPad registration station. When iPads are checked in, they are restored to the backup on the designated computer via the iTunes Library we have set up on that computer. Users are able to download any apps they wish to use, with their own iTunes accounts, not the Library's (they do not know the Library's iTunes account info.). When the iPads are restored, all apps, docs, pics, etc. belonging to the user are erased (users are encouraged to save docs and pics on their computer before returning to us). In the Borrower Agreement, we make it clear that the Library is not responsible for any docs or pics lost during this process. As for the apps, they remain on the users account, just not on the iPad. At the time the iPads are restored (usually about 20 min.), apps are updated should they need it, and all apps requiring passwords are logged in so that everything is ready for use when checked out. We also have bookmarks for the library web pages that remain on the iPad. They are on the backup of the iPad so they are restored along with the apps during this process.
iPads are held in a locked cabinet when not checked out. Liaison Librarians give a brief training on how to use the iPad and apps before the user gets to check out the iPad. The circulation desk checks iPads in and out. Users also complete pre-checkout & post-checkout surveys so that we can track how they are using the iPads, what they need out of the iPad and what apps they recommend.