eBook Readers & Library Services

Want to buy an eBook reader but don’t know where to begin?

Let’s start with the basics. An eBook reader, also called an eBook device or e-reader, is a portable electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital books and periodicals. (Definition from Wikipedia) Each e-reader has software built in that allows users to download material from online outlets and booksellers. The readers highlighted in this blog post are also compatible with OverDrive the media download service offered by the Pearl River Public Library. This service is available to Pearl River card holders with 1,000s of titles to choose from.  

Listed below are some features from three of the top tablets on the market. I have excluded the Kindle from Amazon because they do not support library downloads. (Amazon announced this past April that the Kindle will be compatible by the end of 2011. So, if you really love the Kindle or already have one, library compatibility is coming soon.) There are also many more devices available other than the ones I have compared here, with information and specs that can be found online.

Barnes & Noble Nook: Non-glare screen, Adjustable font size, Stores up to 1,500 books, Some models have a memory card option to hold more titles, 10 day battery life, Bookmark pages, Apps to share books with friends, Wi-Fi built in, Some models have a 3G option

Compatible Formats:

    * EPUB (including Non or Adobe DRM)

    * PDB

    * PDF

    * Graphics: JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP

    * Audio: MP3

Formats Not Supported: DOC, LIT, TXT, AMZ (Amazon), LRZ/LRX (Sony)

Apple iPad: Full touch screen, LED Backlighting, 10 hour battery life, Comes with the iBook app but other e-reader apps are supportable, Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities, Models available with 16, 32 or 64GB storage, Zoom capabilities, Can support all popular eBook formats, Options to bookmark, highlight and select passages, Fantastic for Comics, Graphic Novels and Picture Books, Can support enhanced books (words, pictures, audio and video combined together)

Sony Reader: Full touch anti-glare screen, Adjustable content brightness, Built-in dictionary, 14 day battery life, Bookmark & highlight passages, Freehand notes can be created with stylus, Zoom capabilities, PC & Mac compatible, Expandable memory up to 32GB storage, Supports EPUB format

If you are looking to primarily use your tablet just for reading then the Nook or the Sony Reader might be the way to go. The battery life of these two devices will keep you reading for days without having to recharge. The iPad has a significantly shorter battery life due to all the other functions this product can perform. The one major advantage to the iPad (as with other mobile devices such as the Blackberry, Android and iPhone in regards to library downloading) is that you don’t need a computer to hook up to OverDrive. There are apps available for these mobile devices that cut out this middle step. With other e-readers this is not the case (again when downloading from the library service). The patron will still need a computer to have access to all the titles available from the public library.

OverDrive and the e-reader websites have very good tutorials that walk the user through the initial procedure of setting up the device. However if you are having trouble, stop by the library and the reference staff will be happy to help guide you through the process.