Friday, December 21, 2012

ebooks at the Library

A Nook Color ereader device.
This article came through on my Facebook page this morning, and I thought it was interesting because  it discusses what libraries are doing to prepare for the expected post-holiday flood of new ereader owners.  Here at the Wells Public Library we've been ready for  some time now to help you with your ereader and ebook questions.

First, a bit of explanation.  An ereader is the device on which you read your ebook. While you can download and read books on your PC or laptop, most people read them on smaller devices, such as  a Kindle, Nook, or  iPad.    By ebook, I'm referring to the actual content, or title of the book. 

You can get ebooks for your ereaders in a couple different ways.  You can either purchase them (via Amazon or Barnes and Noble), or you may borrow them through the Wells Public Library Overdrive subscription. There are a few places where you can access free ebooks, for example, Project Gutenberg.org

The process of setting up and loading books on to most ereaders can be a bit frustrating to first-time users.  That's why the staff here at the library is more than happy to help you get up to speed.  We do suggest that you give us a call and ask to set up an appointment, though.  That way we can make sure that we allow enough time to answer all your questions and make sure that you're comfortable with your device.  And, if you get home and realize you have more questions, we're also available for follow-up visits.

For those of you who haven't made the jump to ebooks yet, the library has some ebook readers available for check out.  We have one Kindle, and a Nook color that may be checked out with a valid Wells Public Library card for 2 weeks.  We've already loaded books on them, so all you have to do is check it out and start reading.    A list of what books are on each device is below.  And if you're not ready to borrow one, but just want to take a look and see what the fuss is about, stop by our ereader table near the Reference desk.  You can sit down and play with a Kindle or Nook while in the library.
 
Our aim is to assist readers to access books no matter the format.  So, if you are the new owner of a new ereader and need a bit of help getting started, or if you'd like to ask about checking out an ereader, just give us a call at 646-8181. 

These books are available for checkout on our Kindle device:
Austen - Emma
Flynn - Gone Girl
Hoffman - Lost in Translation
Patterson & Karp - NYPD Red
Skloot - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Taylor - Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Tolkien - The Hobbit 

These Books are available for checkout on our nook color device:
Betty Crocker - Betty Crocker Cookbook
Child -  A Wanted Man
Collins - The Hunger Games
Gabaldon - Outlander
Kipling - The Elephant's Child: How the Elephant Got His Trunk
Roberts - The Welcoming
Tolstoy - Anna Karenina  
 




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