Finding a book is a digital experience
It sounds like something else millennials are ruining: all the libraries in Butler County are offering patrons the option of downloading books and audio books in digital form onto their various devices.
But staff members at the Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St., said the ability to check out books on a tablet, smart phone, Nook or Kindle device or laptop is increasing literacy and complementing the old-fashioned ink-and-paper volumes.
“It’s increased interest in paper books and brought literacy to people who may not think of themselves as readers,” said Tiffany Harkleroad, the youth services librarian.
And she said users of the Overdrive digital system are spread out among all age groups.
“A lot of people have really started to enjoy this,” said Harkleroad. “A lot of older people like to have audiobooks to listen to while they work or are traveling in a car. And with e-books, older readers can increase the size of the text.
Julie Tulba, technical services librarian, said people can log on to http://www.butlerlibrary.info/eresources, go to the Eresources section, click onto the Overdrive section, select the local library and then sign in using the number on their library card and a four-digit PIN.
Tulba said if a specific PIN hasn’t been created, the default setting is the last four digits on a patron’s library card number.
Or readers can install the Overdrive app on their phone or tablet from the device’s app store or from app.overdrive.com.
Harkleroad said, “We have maybe 10,000 books, primarily fiction, but we do have nonfiction titles as well in adult, young adult and children’s categories.”
With a valid library card, a patron can sign in and borrow or place a hold on a title.
Tulba said, “These are going to have a borrowing period (usually about two weeks). The thing about e-books is they just digitally disappear. The good thing is there are never any late fees.” Readers get a notice a day or two before the book vanishes.
And a borrower does have the option to renew an e-book, Tulba and Harkleroad said.
The e-book and audiobook downloads are available at any library in the county, they said.
The overdrive option has been available for some time, said Harkleroad, but is just now becoming popular.
Harkleroad said, “It wasn’t a service that was used widely as it is now.
“It took people awhile to gain access to their own personal technology. Five years ago there were not as many people with smartphones and tablets,” she said.
People are also able to listen to an audiobook or read an e-book through using a Web browser on their laptop or desktop computer, Harkleroad said.
“Anyone can come to use a library computer if they have a library card,” she said.
Tulba said any librarian in any library in the county can help a reader get access to the Overdrive collection.
Still, Harkleroad said, the e-book popularity isn’t coming at the expense of the printed word.
“I don’t think e-books are going to do away with printed books,” she said. “People like to have books in their hands.”
