Week 9, Ex 22

What are Ebooks? JUST KIDDING! Ebooks are growing in popularity among our patrons. Usage has increased in the past year, and it helps that the selection is getting better. Within the audiobooks, there are a lot of the Pimsleur learn a language items in the collection. I think this is great because they are usually checked out or the CDs are in bad shape. And of course, having electronic books saves paper AND shelf space. I also love how our OverDrive account now has music; again, it reflects how much our digital collection is growing.

I haven't fully explored our ebook collection for my own use, but I have referred customers to them. Many of them get frustrated if their Mp3 player isn't compatable, which I can understand. But many of the people I know who use it, really like them.

For my own use, I haven't really found the need for it (yet). I have a hard time reading for long amounts of time on any kind of monitor (computer, laptop, PDA, etc.) so the electronic books are not my thing. And I'm never in a situation where I can sit and listen to an audiobook. I either have a hard time concentrating on the book, or I'm in a situation where I shouldn't be focusing on the book alone (for example, driving to work).

One way that I have used ebooks is with classes I took in library school. One teacher required a textbook that was only available through netlibrary. It was great because we didn't have to pay for an expensive textbook! :)