On October 4, 2010, libraries in Tennessee and Ohio announced that readers could expand their access to digital books through new programs being offered by libraries in those states. These innovative libraries are demonstrating the cure for the problem Ian Singer noted at the September 29, 2010 Library Journal eBook Summit, "The number one barrier to a patron's reading an ebook," according to the Library Journal is that "many patrons across all three types of libraries are unaware of ebooks' availability in their institutions."
Do Libraries Lend Digital Downloads such as eBooks and Audiobooks?
Library patrons are clearly interested in audiobook and ebooks. Micheal Morton of the MetroWest Daily News reported that in Massachusetts, "The Board of Library Commissioners shows that... audio recordings have surged 61 percent." Even more telling of how many people are interested in getting digital media at the library is this statistic, which Morton reported on October 3, 2010. "E-book use, first recorded in 2007, has spiked 949 percent."
Many people are not aware that their libraries may lend digital content,, or they may not see how they can use the services. Because most of the libraries can not lend files for Kindle users, owners of the popular ereader may think they are unable to participate in the lending programs. Actually, the Tennessee library system shows how flexible lending digital content can be across different platforms.
The Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. Program
Borrowing an ebook or audiobook through R.E.A.D.S is similar to renting audiobooks online. Library patrons log on to the Regional eBook and Audiobook Download System, and enter their library numbers to download the files. The ebook files can be used on EPUB friendly devices such as the Sony Reader. There are plenty of audiobooks that can be played on iPods. The files are only accessible for the number of days that they are lent.
There is some free software that needs to be installed to download the digital content, which explains why Kindle is not one of the supported devices. According to The Daily News Journal in Rutherford County, Tennessee, "The ebooks are not compatible with the Kindle, because Amazon does not currently support the digital rights management-protected file types used by R.E.A.D.S."
Ohio libraries also promoted their ebook offerings on October 4, 2010, although their files are also incompatible with Kindles. By participating in the statewide Ohio eBooks system, libraries save money on ebook lending programs. Being able to go to the library without leaving home is not something people might normally think of doing, but just as there are online store and online churches, there are now online library branches that lend digital media.
Sources
"Ebook Summit Kicks Off with Library Ebook Survey Results" was written by David Rapp. It was published by Library Journal on September 29, 2010.
" Library Patrons have More Access to eBooks " was published by The Daily News Journal on October 4, 2010. No reporter is listed.
"Local Library Utilizing eBooks" was written by Emily Baird. It was published on WhizNews.com on October 4, 2010.
" What will New Libraries Look Like?" was written by Micheal Morton. It was published by MetroWest Daily News on October 3, 2010.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
