Carroll County Library Encourages Use Of E-Books

So, you've got one of those nifty new electronic book readers – or you expect to get one on or about Dec. 25 and now you're starting to worry about the cost of downloading all those digital books you want to read.

The Eldersburg library can help – with free downloads of e-books.

You can use devices such as Nook, Kobo and Sony, and you can choose from several thousand e-book titles available at the Eldersburg library and the statewide consortium to which it belongs. Plus, the choices will grow, along with e-reader use, says Nadine Rosendale, Eldersburg library manager.

But there's a catch: Some of the most popular reading devices, such as the groundbreaking Kindle, won't accept the free downloads. And furthermore, the library's e-book selection, at this point, is a tiny fraction of the number of "real books" on Carroll County Public Library system shelves.

The library began providing e-books five years ago but the public's interest has soared in just the past year. So the library is adapting to demand, she explained.

"We kind of go with the times," she added.

Rosendale said she doesn't yet have an e-reader of her own but is intrigued, in part because she and others on the staff enjoyed using the devices at a recent training session.

"It just really is some cool technology," Rosendale said.

The library has scheduled a training session for the public at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20. An online Quick Start Guide is available here.

While consumers use e-readers for convenience – and maybe trendiness – libraries can benefit from e-books by saving on material acquisition costs and on shelf space, the library manager said.

Originally from Randallstown, Rosendale has served in a series of library jobs over the past two decades. In October she became the manager of the Eldersburg library, known officially as the Eldersburg branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

While Rosendale expects rapid growth in e-books, she does not expect libraries with real books to disappear.

Admitting she may be guilty of wishful thinking, Rosendale said, "There's a lot of people who are not interested in e-books. They love books. And they want the feel of books, the pages and new books. And I don't think that will go away."

BY THE NUMBERS

E-books taken out, all of 2009

1,538

E-books taken out, so far in 2010

2,847

E-book titles available

3,000+

"Real books" on shelves

400,000

SOURCE: Carroll County Public Library