Borrow eBooks through Gloucester County Library’s Web
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Two new services allow cardholders to check out eBooks online for their reading devices
(Mullica Hill, NJ) – Gloucester County Library System cardholders may now borrow eBooks via the library’s web site at...
Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said that the Gloucester County Library System is always working to keep up with new technology and trends so that they can offer their patrons the best services. “Libraries are still very much the cornerstone of many communities so it is important that they are bringing programs online that allow residents to get their services they way want them. Electronic readers are hot items and it is great that GCLS has found a way to make sure people can borrow their reading material via an online transfer.”
Freeholder Lyman Barnes said that titles automatically expire at the end of the lending period, so there are no late fees.
“There had been many requests for this service and we are excited to announce it. With the popularity of Nooks, Kindles, iPads, smartphones and all the other popular electronic readers it makes sense to offer residents a way to conveniently get their books online without fees and with automatic returns,” said Freeholder Barnes. Barnes is the Freeholder Liaison to GCLS.
In order to use these services with certain devices, users will need to download and install Adobe Digital Editions<http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/> software on your PC or Macintosh. Overdrive is made available through the South Jersey Audiobook and eBook Download Center, a cooperative effort of libraries across South Jersey.
The Overdrive<http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com> service allows cardholders to download eBooks to a variety of devices including Kindle, Nook, and Sony eReaders, iPads and other tablets, smartphones, and PCs. Kindle eBooks are sent directly to a Kindle device or app. The free Overdrive Media Console app is available for Android, Blackberry, iPhone/iPad, and Windows Phone 7.
Freading offers unlimited, simultaneous access to all titles so there is no waiting for another user to return a title before you can borrow it. (At this time, Freading eBooks are not viewable on any Kindle devices.) Access to books is controlled by virtual “tokens”. Each user is given a weekly allotment of four tokens, which appears in the upper right hand corner of the home page after login. These tokens are redeemed to borrow books. The Adobe Digital Editions software will limit your access to each eBook for a two week initial period. You may extend the loan period for one two week period by going back to the book display on the website and hitting the download button again.
The GCLS web page at www.gcls.org<http://www.gcls.org> has additional information, and answers frequently asked questions. If you require technical assistance, you can contact library eBook tech support at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.