How Public Libraries Are Adapting To The Digital Age

Back in 1986, eons in technology time and long before the proliferation of digital devices now on the market, former defense lawyer Steve Potash founded OverDrive. Cleveland's The Plain Dealer reports that in 2010, the Ohio-based company was already distributing "more than 100, 00 digital books, audio books, music titles and videos to a network of 6, 000-plus libraries and online retail sites."

The OverDrive Web site describes the company as a "leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital content" hosting "more than 500, 000 premium digital titles from more than 1, 000 publishers, including Random House, HarperCollins, BBC Audiobooks America, Harlequin, and Bloomsbury" and that over "13, 000 libraries, schools and colleges worldwide" use their services. Those services include mobile apps, so in addition to existing platforms, that is Windows, Mac, Apple's iPad, Barnes and Nobles' nook, the Sony Reader and more, you can access library books on iPhones, Android, Blackberry and other devices already arrived or to come. Considering that OverDrive only started the library download service in 2002, the quoted numbers represent phenomenal growth.

Net net, you can now go to your local library without actually going to the library providing yours is on the network. You can find out by searching on OverDrive. If your library is connected, you can browse for available titles, check out with your library card as you would in the actual physical location and download. Expiration is automatic so you never have to deal with late fees. But first, you do have to download, install and register the free software from OverDrive through your local library.

For example, the Evanston Public Library in Illinois also offers free public domain eBooks through Project Gutenberg. These do not count against regular checkout limits. The Stoneham Library in Massachusetts lists compatible digital devices (that exclude the Kindle) and additionally offers free Adobe EPUB eBooks. That library has varied lending periods for downloaded books. Once expired, you can't renew and instead, have to check out the book again when available.

As the digital trend continues, there may come a time when browsing books at your library will be a matter of accessing a Web site. Tight budgets for instance led the Nashville Public Library in Tennessee to close its doors some time ago on Fridays and only open for a few hours on Sundays.

At first, it may seem a little weird to read books on a digital device but it's nice not to have to use bookmarks (and lose your place) since the device lets you resume reading where you left off. The portability is another plus compared to a weighty hard cover if you want to read on a commute or in bed. Either way, sad though it may be for those who prefer to turn paper pages, millions of readers and libraries everywhere are already adapting to the digital age.

Sources:

Tom Breckenridge, http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/09/steve_potash_ceo_of_overdrive_inc_talk_with_the_boss.html, The Plain Dealer

http://www.overdrive.com/About/Default.aspx

http://search.overdrive.com

http://librarianinblack.net/librarianinblack/2010/09/ebookimpact.html

http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=8038774