LIHU‘E — The late American comedian and master of wit Groucho Marx once said that he finds TV to be very educational. “The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a good book.” But times
LIHU‘E — The late American comedian and master of wit Groucho Marx once said that he finds TV to be very educational. “The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a good book.”
But times have changed. If Marx was still alive, he wouldn’t have to go to the library anymore. Instead he would just have to turn to a computer or handheld device to rent an electronic book.
State Librarian Richard Burns recently sent a press release stating that libraries have seen “impressive increases” in circulation as e-books and e-readers have surged in popularity.
Such popularity will likely get an extra boost after OverDrive, the primary provider of e-books to libraries nationwide, has reached an agreement with Amazon, the owner of the Kindle e-book reader.
Burns announced on April 20 that OverDrive has teamed up with Amazon to offer e-books through Kindle, “the world’s most popular e-book reading device.”
“An e-book is an electronic book you can download to your computer or to your handheld device,” said Lani Kawahara, Kapa‘a Public Library manager.
Last March more than 8,500 e-books were borrowed from Hawai‘i’s public libraries, the highest amount since e-books were first available in the Hawai‘i State Library System in 2005, according to Burns.
Once a compatible technology is worked out the Kindle Library Lending program will launch, likely later this year, according to the release.
“We are very excited that for the first time, our patrons with Kindle e-book readers will be able to access, download and enjoy our outstanding collection of OverDrive e-books,” said Burns in the release, adding that e-books represent the fastest growing segment of borrowed books.
Burns said in the release that OverDrive has reported a 200 percent increase in library e-book checkouts in 2010, compared to 2009.
“These figures are certain to climb even higher with the addition of Kindle,” Burns said.
Kawahara said those who want to rent an e-book need to have a library card and download the free software OverDrive. “And that’s about it.”
Once downloaded the e-book has an expiration date, just as if it were rented in its physical form.
“You get it for 21 days and then it goes back automatically,” Kawahara said.
Go to www.librarieshawaii.org for more information.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
