Yearly Archives: 2012

Penguin, Kindle app users and Overdrive


Penguin will no longer offer additional copies of eBooks and download audiobooks for library purchase. Additionally, Penguin eBooks loaned for reading on Kindle devices will need to be downloaded to a computer, then transferred to the device over USB. For library patrons, this means Penguin eBooks will no longer be available for over-the-air delivery to Kindle devices or to Kindle apps.

We know that several readers have been waiting for their Kindle book to become available for weeks.  If you are a Kindle app only user and have a book on hold, please contact us  with you library card number and the title of the book.  We are working with Overdrive to find a solution to this problem.

Director’s Council

A preliminary meeting this Wednesday (2/8) at 1pm at SALS to discuss OverDrive funding and the construction grant.

If you are able to meet via telephone – Jennifer Ferriss can arrange a GoToMeeting teleconference for up to 15 people.  Please contact Jennifer if you would like to take advantage of this option.

E-book Reader Ownership Rises Dramatically

The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project’s new report shows that e-reader and tablet ownership nearly doubled nationally over the holidays from 18% to 29%.  So, what does this mean to libraries?  An increased demand for e-books and library instruction on using various e-readers.  Sadly, due to publisher restrictions and limits, library users will not find the wide variety of titles they’ve enjoyed in print in e-book format.  ALA’s new Digital Content and Libraries Working Group, is working to push back against publishers who refuse to give libraries rights to their digital content.

Larra Clark of the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy writes “In addition to the content divide that currently exists for those seeking e-books through their libraries, the Pew report also surfaces a new “device divide.”  While 36 percent of people from families with annual incomes greater than $75,000 have a mobile reading device, only 8 percent of those with incomes below $30,000 report this is the case. In our effort to create and support a nation of readers and lifelong learners, these divides pose significant challenges to our values and ability to meet community needs.”  The Pew report reenforces how integral it is for libraries to stay current and keep thinking about new strategies to engage with their communities.