| More readers check out ebooks |
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| Written by PETER KUEBECK Sentinel Staff Writer | ||
| Tuesday, 14 August 2012 09:25 | ||
"We saw a really big after-Christmas boom in the interest in e-readers, and it was reflected in our statistics in the number of people that actually downloaded an ebook right after Christmas," said Michelle Raine, the library's assistant director and head of adult services. The library has more than 18,000 titles in their ebook collection. From June, 2011, through June of this year, there was a 151 percent increase in the number of ebooks checked out. Raine said that, based on those numbers, ebook usage through the library "is going up, by leaps and bounds, mostly driven" by fiction readers. "It's interesting to me that a lot of fiction is driving the ebook reading." Despite the increased interest in books coming in a digital format, Raine noted that it hasn't caused a decrease in the number of physical books being checked out at the library. Studies show, she said, that those reading ebooks are themselves committed readers who will generally read in any format. "If they can get it in print, they get it in print. If they can get it in ebook, they'll get it in ebook." Despite the growing ebook readership, a recent study by the Pew Research Center shows that the majority of Americans have no idea that their local library can provide access to ebooks. The Wood County Library is trying to change that and get the word out. Kristen Wetzel, who works with the ebook technology for the library, noted that their ebook catalog, accessible online from the library's homepage, is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, "and you can shop in your jammies." The ebooks also never accrue fines - once downloaded to an e-reader, they simply disappear the moment they're due. To help inform the public and assist in teaching patrons how to access the books - each company's e-reader uses a different method to check out the books - a number of "How-To" classes have been offered, and have proved very popular, necessitating waiting lists to sign up. The problem with the classes, however, is that they assume a common level of familiarity with the technology for all participants - some may be more advanced, while others might struggle with their understanding. To combat this, the library is planning on moving to more of a "clinic hour" approach, starting in the fall, allowing one-on-one assistance. They are already helping people at the reference desk with their e-reader issues. The library also has information sheets available to teach people the ins and outs of checking books out on their own e-readers, a process which can at first seem daunting. Raine noted that the wish is that libraries would simplify the process for downloading the ebooks. "The patrons are very excited when they learn they can check out the ebooks from the library" Wetzel said. "It gets expensive to buy everything you read, so it's nice when you switch to the digital format to still use the library." "Just like with the physical materials catalogue, you can put materials on hold and we'll send an email when it comes in," she said. Just like physical books, the library only owns a limited number of copies of ebooks and can't check them out infinitely. In fact, digital rights management of ebook copies is one of the major issues that needs to be confronted by publishers and libraries. "What I'm curious to see is what's going to happen this Christmas," said Raine, "if we'll see another surge in device ownership. Because it's device ownership that drives ebook circulation." "I don't think they're going to go away anytime soon," said Wetzel. "I think ebooks are here to stay." |
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 August 2012 09:51 |
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