Yes, Your Library Has eBooks (Part 2)

Back in May, in our for this blog we told you about the library’s program for borrowing eBooks. Since then there have been some new developments. Beginning in September, Kindle owners were able to start borrowing library eBooks. In addition, several new eReaders and tablets have come on the market, making the appeal of eBooks even greater.

With the recent buzz about eBooks, many library customers may receive new eReaders during the December holidays. To help these customers, the library system has scheduled a series of informational sessions in January. On Saturday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m, the Sherwood Library will present a workshop on eBooks and eReaders. We encourage you to attend, even if you are just curious about eBooks and want to know how they work and what’s available through the library. Sessions will also be held at other county branches throughout January. A full list of eBook workshops is on our website. Registration for all library programs begins two weeks before the program date.

If you are thinking about purchasing an eReader, the library can also help. While we can’t provide advice on specific models, we do offer resources that can assist you in your choice. The December 2011 issue of Consumer Reports includes reviews of eReaders and tablet computers.  You can view these articles in hard copy at the library or electronically through the library’s website. Just type the terms “Electronic book reader” or “Tablet” in the box at the top of the page and you’ll see all Consumer Reports reviews of these devices. You’ll need to provide your library card number before viewing the articles. You can also use our online resources to view product reviews and articles from hundreds of other magazines and newspapers. If you need help accessing these resources, please come to the Sherwood information desk or call us at 703-765-3645 ext. 4.

If you are also interested in print books, and you’re looking for affordable gifts, consider the . The best selection is available on Thursday mornings, when the second floor 'book sorting' area is open, but the second floor book sale area is available Monday through Saturday as well.