Avid users of e-books and e-readers have a new way to access the public library by downloading books to their Kindle. Starting today patrons of the Liverpool Library or any other branch of the Onondaga County Library system can check out e-books to their Amazon Kindle through a Wi-fi connection. "We're excited about it," said Glenna Wisniewski of the Liverpool Library. "We're sure our patrons will be excited too." Wisniewski says she has been taking questions from patrons for months asking when Kindle would be added to the mix of accessible e-readers. Amazon has now set up its service to interact with the library Overdrive Media Catalogue to make this happen.
"It opens a whole different catalogue for people to access e-readers and e-books," said Wisniewski. The process does not take long. Users do need a valid Onondaga County Library card and a PIN. They also need to have an Amazon account. Once you have logged on to the library system you can select from current books and classics. Just like the old fashioned library there are limits to how many books you can check out at a time and how long you can keep the book. Once the book is downloaded you also have the option of purchasing it for your collection.
Amazon brought Kindle online with the Overdrive system in a nationwide roll out yesterday.
The Liverpool Library continues to lead the area in the use of technology alongside traditional library services. Wisniewski says she will never stop reader books, but she does admit to using her iPad. Her daughter reads on a Kindle. A career librarian understands the value of the newer technology saying, "it's keeping people reading."
The Kindle downloads can also be sent to apps on iPads and smartphones including the Droid based systems.
