??? Checking out a library book, and remembering to return it, just got easier.
??? The Long Beach Public Library expanded its services last month to include an eBook collection in addition to its already popular downloadable audio book offerings.
??? “We have about 3,200 titles — half are audio books and half are eBooks,” Susan Jones, department librarian of automated services, said. “We are doing collection development and will add another 1,000 eBook titles in the next two months.”
??? During collection development, Jones said librarians would be tracking reading trends of eBook users to see what titles and topics are most popular and what types of eBooks the library should stock.
??? Those who want to check out a free eBook can sign up to keep the book for one or two weeks before the title must be renewed or it automatically expires, which means late fees aren’t possible. There may be waiting lists for popular titles — only one person can check out an eBook at a time — similar to how there are waiting lists for physical book copies at the library.
??? Jones said eBooks can be downloaded onto e-readers, tablets and smartphones. Downloadable eBooks through the Long Beach Public Library are not available on the Kindle (but do work on the Nook), but Jones said eBooks would be Kindle-compatible as early as this fall.
??? Using eBooks is a way for the library to save money and provide an in-demand service to area residents, Jones said. Because the eBooks don’t take up shelf space and don’t require labeling or shuttling from one library to another, Jones said man-hours and book wear-and-tear could be minimized. She added that library patrons now have access to titles outside of normal library hours.
??? “We are really excited about this and the response we have gotten back from readers has been really good,” Jones said. “I’ve used it myself and downloaded recipe books on my smart phone and read them right in the kitchen.”
??? To download free eBooks and audio books to an e-reader, visit www.lbpl.lib.overdrive.com or go to the app store on your smart phone or tablet to download eBooks to those devices. For details or troubleshooting help from a librarian, go to www.lbpl.org or call 570-7500.
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