I want to download educational apps to ipods for my library patrons...any thoughts or advice?

Question

I work at a small public library.  We have 8 new ipads and want to offer them to our youth (pre-literacy through high school).  I want to download educational apps onto the ipads.   I'm worried about security, I don't want them to download anything, just to play with what we have.  Any ideas for policy?  Any good app resources?

Answer 1

Perhaps things will change for the better with ios 8.
You can lock the ipad to one app, but you want to have multiple apps.  Your going to have to do more work than you should.  Suggest you look for a volunteer.
You need to supervise the ipad or setup the activation lock yourself
Activation lock
Find My iPad
"With iOS 7, Find My iPhone includes a new feature called Activation Lock, which is designed to prevent anyone else from using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch if you ever lose it. It starts working the moment you turn on Find My iPhone in iOS 7."
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5818
Your going to need to look into a  MDM.
MDM  -- Mobile Device Management  
For a comparison see this page:
http://www.enterpriseios.com/wiki/Comparison_MDM_Providers
Meraki -- A free MDM   [ expect lots of email and phone calls about upgrades ]
   Read the product overview.  Click on "get started now" to sign up.
     https://meraki.cisco.com/products/systems-manager/?ref=YZRzCR
   Video's on how to setup and use Meraki.
     https://meraki.cisco.com/blog/2012/08/how-to-get-the-most-from-meraki-systems-ma nager/
"This document offers guidance on some important considerations for getting the most out of your iOS deployment." Covers: Prepare your infrastructure.  Set up devices.  Configure and manage devices.  Deploy apps and content.  Plan for support. 
http://images.apple.com/iphone/business/docs/iOS_Enteprise_Deployment_Overview_E N_Feb14.pdf
Quick overview of zero-touch MDM enrollment
http://www.apple.com/education/it/dep/
Use VPP.  Select an MDM.  Read the Google doc below and nsdjoey write up.
IT Resources -- ios & OS X -- This is a fantastic web page.  I like the education site over the business site.
View documentation, video tutorials, and web pages to help IT professionals develop and deploy education solutions.
    Education
      http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/resources/
      scroll down after all the pretty picture.  Click on the words "For It".
    business site is:
       http://www.apple.com/lae/ipad/business/#browse-it-resources
      If necessary, scroll down until you see the Browse IT Resources button.  Click on button.
    MDM --  Mobile Device Management  
      For a comparison see this page:
      http://www.enterpriseios.com/wiki/Comparison_MDM_Providers
    VPP -- Volume Purchase Program
      http://www.apple.com/education/it/vpp/
Joe Rowe's Excellent guides
IT managers who are new to configurator and managing a cart of ios devices:
      https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SMBgyzONxcx6_FswgkW9XYLpA4oCt_2y1uw9ceMZ9F4/ edit?pli=1
         [ original announcement  -- https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4256735?tstart=0 ]
Quick help presentation for students:
     https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18937JdleX2gymtSb8zfbDczV-76BdR2DIfCV9eJi yOE/edit#slide=id.g1b776944_0_224
good tips for initial deployment:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/18942350#18942350
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3804209?tstart=0
See nsdjoey writeup.  See third post.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/22286109#22286109