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Ereaders - check them out at Calvert Library

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 librarian with ereader

I can check out a Nook or a Kindle? Is this for real?

Yes! Our society is experiencing a digital revolution. Very soon you should be able to find NOOKcolors and Kindles in the online catalog and be able to place a hold on the ereader of your choice! They should appear in the catalog by July 15, 2011.

What kind of books are on the ereaders?

Each ereader will have a mini-library loaded on it. There will be 12 different themes represented on the ereaders with six copies of each theme for a total of 72 ereaders.

The NOOKcolor themes will include such topics as children’s picture ebooks, kids’ chapter books, and teen books. There will be three nonfiction adult themes covering such topics as the Great Outdoors, Spare Time, and Around the World.

The eighteen Kindles and remaining NOOKcolors will be mostly fiction titles with themes such as best-sellers, favorite series, favorite fiction, mysteries and African American.

What if I want to download other books to your ereader?

At this time, we can only have the books we specifically selected on our devices. If you have your own ereader, we will be happy to show you how to download library ebooks from Maryland Digital E-Library Consortium (Overdrive). There are some great online videos to show you how to load to your own Kindle, NOOK or similar device or to your iPad/iPod as well. If you would like written instructions, you can print iPad/iPod instructions, NOOKinstructions, and Kindle/Kindle Fire instructions.

How do I find the ereaders in the catalog?

Finding the devices is easy. Just do a catalog search for "NOOKColor" or "Kindle" and select one located at the library where you will pick it up.

When you place your hold, be sure to match the "Pickup at [choose branch]" with the "Pick up" location under Volume. Yes, it sounds odd, but this is how you need to place your hold to get the ereader at the location you want to pick it up. If you do not match these two or neglect to check the "volume" box, you may have to go to another Calvert Library location to pick up the ereader OR you may lose your place in the hold list.

Are there enough ereaders to go around?

We hope so! Each Calvert Library branch will have 15 ereaders of various themes that circulate and the main library in Prince Frederick will have the remaining 27 to circulate. Customers can place a hold on the ereader of their choice and when they are notified that it is available, they can come to the owning Calvert Library location to check it out.

Who can check them out?

The ereaders can be checked out to customers 18 years and older with a picture ID that includes the current address and a library account in good standing.

Are there special rules?

There will be a user agreement that the customer must complete and comply with. The agreement (pdf) can be previewed on the library website. You will want to read the Kindle FAQs or the NOOKcolor FAQs as well.

Wow - you've blown my mind. How did this happen?

Calvert Library is excited to offer ereaders so that customers can try this new medium for reading books. The library has had downloadable e-books and audio books for several years through the Maryland Digital e-Library Consortium but these require customers to have their own reading or listening device or computer. About ten years ago, the library circulated the Rocket ereader but it was ahead of its time. By providing user-friendly ereaders with books already loaded on them, the library is enabling more customers to enter the digital reading world.

Where did the library find the money to buy all these ereaders?

The purchase of these devices and e-books was made possible thanks to a grant from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development and Services with funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.

I have so many more questions! Where can I get answers?

Drop by your local library and we'll be happy to show you how to use the device and answer any other questions you might have.

       

Other helpful links

Customer FAQs

Happy ereading!