Library ebooks kindle interest

Did you get a Kindle, Nook or Ipad for Christmas? Did you know you can get free ebooks through local libraries?

Aitkin Memorial Library in Croswell, Moore Public Library in Lexington and Sandusky District library already offer downloadable ebooks and e-audio books, and the Sanilac District Library in Port Sanilac and Marlette District Library will be able to provide ebooks this month.

“It is the wave of the future, although I do not see paper being replaced anytime soon,” stated Sandusky Library Director Gail Nartker.

“Our ebook circulation doubled in the month of December,” said Aitkin Library Director Jennifer Walters.

“It is great to travel with and you are not locked into your library’s hours,” Nartker added.

“We spend a fair amount on our CD collection. This way there is no damage, theft or over due (problems),” she noted.

The libraries are also offering classes to those with new ereaders ranging from Kindles and Nooks to Iphone and Ipads.

“We’ve had an influx asking for the new service. We jumped on board a year and a half ago, but it has taken off slowly,” stated Nartker.

“It is a little bit more involved than people think, but once they do it once or twice (it isn’t difficult)...We are constantly telling people to bring it in and we will work you through it,” she added.

Nartker said they had 30 people show up for their first class, four or five of whom didn’t have an ereader yet.

“It gave them a chance to see all the different ones (and decide which they liked best),” she noted.

Sandusky librarians demonstrate on patrons’ ereaders or demonstrate on library appliances.

The local libraries have joined a consortium of 20 plus libraries through the White Pine Cooperative, which makes it possible for libraries to be able to afford the service. The consortium pays the firm Overdrive an $18,000 subscription fee. They have purchased over 600 ebooks and 1,000 e-audio books.

“There is no way any of us could pay $18,000 plus buy books,” stated Walters.

Walters said Aitkin also pays an additional fee to be able to buy ebooks for their library.

“There are only two of us (buying their own books). It allows us if a patron suggests a book we can buy it just for our patrons. Or if the waiting list is long for a book we can buy an extra book,” Walters explained.