The most exciting news lately at JMRL is that we now have downloadable audio and eBooks for those new e-readers you got as a gift or purchased over the holidays! OverDrive is the company that provides this technology for JMRL (and many other libraries) and they tell us eBook checkouts are up 200% in 2010.
JMRL is offering this new service is part of a consortium of libraries and it’s proved to be quite popular so far. In the last 42 days, JMRL patrons checked out 1,466 downloadable books. Check this link for more information on how to take part.
Folks really seem to like these E-readers. I guess because you can store lots of reading on these devices and also manipulate the text for easier viewing. (As for me, I still prefer a physical book in hand! Gasp! Occasionally an audiobook is a nice option.) The other good news is that there are no fines for downloaded eBooks or audiobooks.
What sort of electronic E-readers have you been using ? The Barnes & Noble Nook? Sony Readers? Ipads or others? (JMRL’s new program does not work with Kindles. ) Would you be interested in an eBook Readers Group at the library? Let us know what you think!
Just this Christmas I got a Nook, my very first e-reader. I was so excited to hear about your overdrive program and go there almost every day to scroll through the books and download the ones I have waiting for check out. I’m not sure if JMRL gets to pick the books, but Overdrive could use some more YA novels. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for responding Tabitha. Happy reading!