From the buzz I’ve been hearing, eBook Readers (the generic term for devices like the Nook, Kindle, Sony eReader, Kobo, etc) seem to be one of the hottest Christmas gifts this year.  The library offers free downloadable ebooks and audiobooks through its NEIBORS service.  In case you are one of those people who like to know what acronyms stand for (you guessed it, like the person writing this)…NEIBORS  is the North East Iowa Bridge to Online Resource Sharing.  You can access the downloadable books at the library’s new website, www.independence.lib.ia.us.

NEIBORS is compatible with the Nook, Kindle, Sony eReader, iPad, and many other eReaders.  Go to the library’s website, www.independence.lib.ia.us, and click on “Got a Kindle… “ a link on the home page found under Featured News from IPL.  From there you can link to a list of compatible eReaders.  You can also access many different tip sheets for getting started with downloadable ebooks from the library.

We are currently  working on adding a new dimension to the NEIBORS service.  We are a part of a group of libraries, or a consortium, that are sharing ebooks and audiobooks among the patrons of all the member libraries.  This drives the costs down for the member libraries and makes it possible for our libraries to offer the services.

The change we will be making to our NEIBORS account is to purchase and add new titles that will be available only to the Independence Public Library patrons.  Currently there is a lot more demand than supply, and we are hoping to alleviate some of that by purchasing our own ebooks.

As the library purchases ebooks, keep in mind that only one person can have it “checked out,” or downloaded on their device at one time…so if we have one copy of The Help, it is similar to a print copy in that only one person can have it at one time.  This all has to do with agreements set up between the download service and the publishers or copyright holders.  Another helpful tidbit…the checkout period is only two weeks, so make sure you finish the book before it disappears from your eReader!!  We would hate for you to have to get on a waiting list to read the last two chapters of a book…and I’m sure you would, too.

My fear is that we will still lag far behind the demand, especially as more and more people of all ages acquire eReaders.  I want you to know that we are working on it, and the recent explosion of this fairly new format and the drop in prices of the eBook Readers has made it hard to plan adequately for the demand.  We will be on the lookout for grants and other creative funding sources to help fill that gap.  If you know of a source please let me know, or feel inclined to donate funds for that purpose, please make checks out to the IPL Foundation.  The average cost of one library ebook is $14.  We hope to become your go-to source for ebooks!  Thanks for your support and your patience on this ebook journey!

Tidbits:
Everyone's welcome to come to the library and attend library programs regardless of whether or not you have a library card!  Please come join the fun!