What do you picture when you hear the words “public library”? If shushing librarians and piles of dusty books come to mind, it’s time to rethink that image. You are now more likely to see electronic books in public libraries across the country and a legion of trained librarians ready to help you discover digital content and how to get it on your device.
Today, Sony announced an inaugural group of 30 libraries from 17 states across the country that will take part in the Sony Reader Library Program. The program was introduced this summer to libraries looking to expand their digital reading services. During the next few weeks these libraries will get in-house training on digital reading devices, educational materials to help both librarians and library patrons learn more about eBooks and Sony Reader devices for library staff to do demos for patrons.
“Our growing eBook collection is an important piece of the service we will provide our customers moving forward,” said Zeth Lietzau, manager of Denver Public Library’s Community Technology Center, one of the first libraries to participate in the program. “We are constantly looking for ways to increase awareness, understanding, and usage of this collection. The education materials and assistance made available from the Reader Library Program will be a big part of that effort.”
See if your library made the list which you can find on the Sony News and Information site. If you don’t see it there, send your library this link www.sony.com/libraryprogram and tell them to apply! They’ll get access to free eBook training videos and printable collateral for educating their patrons while they wait for their chance to be part of the program. To find a library near you that already offers eBooks, go to sonysearch.overdrive.com.
