EDMONTON - Christine Rapp still likes the feel of a paper book in her hands.
But these days, you might also find her scanning the screen of an electronic reader.
As an avid reader and regular Edmonton Public Library customer, Rapp was curious to test one of the devices when the library system launched an e-reader pilot project in December 2011. The 50 Sony Wi-Fi e-readers quickly became popular at the two branches where they were available.
So popular, in fact, that starting Wednesday e-readers will be available at all 17 branches.
Already in the business of loaning digital copies of ebooks, it is the first time that Edmonton’s libraries will loan the hardware needed to read those electronic offerings.
Another 50 e-readers will be added, doubling the library’s collection.
“We just want to give everyone in Edmonton a chance to pick up a reader and drop it off at their branch,” said Leanne Drury Melsness, Edmonton Public Library’s manager of digital literacy initiatives.
Even then, Drury Melsness said customers likely won’t be able to just walk into a branch and take one off the shelf.
“It’s a high demand item, so they’ll be placing holds on them, but they’ll be moving through the system faster now that we’ve added some more.”
Before adding e-readers to its catalogue, library staff researched how the devices were being used in libraries across North America.
During its own three-month pilot project at the Lois Hole and Mill Woods branches, the e-readers came preloaded with classics including Around the World in 80 Days and Jungle Book. Librarians also showed customers how to access the 11,700 copies of ebooks available through library’s Overdrive collection and the 10,000 titles available in its Freading catalogue.
The touch screen e-readers, worth about $165 including charging cord and USB connector, will be loaned out for three weeks at a time. Like other audio-visual materials, customers will incur a $1 charge for every day they are late returning the device.
Drury Melsness said all 50 of the e-readers were returned at the end of the pilot project.
Rapp used the e-reader for the full three weeks and read, among other things, a British mystery novel that library staff helped her download. She liked it enough that her family gave her the same kind of e-reader as a gift. “I still like regular books, but the e-reader, everyone mentions it’s good for travel,” she said. “The thing I enjoy is you can take out a book at any time or return it at any time.”
Most customers who used e-readers during the pilot project were adults, Drury Melsness said, and most said it was their first time using one. People said they liked the convenience and portability, as well as the ability to increase the font size. “We really strongly feel at EPL that we have a role regarding digital literacy,” she said. “We want to help customers build their digital literacy skills.”
Margaret Mackey, a professor in the University of Alberta’s school of library and information studies, said it’s important that libraries evolve to remain relevant in the 21st century. Lending e-readers helps level the playing field for all customers, including those who might not be able to afford such devices on their own.
Mackey said she expects to see ebooks continue to evolve to include more multimedia experiences.
For example, she said, “I have a little set of novels that come with a related CD of music. At the moment, they’re two items. They sit side by side on the shelf. But I don’t think we’re long from the moment where some of that soundtrack is built in as well.”
But committing to a digital initiative is a big step, she said, because e-readers will have to continue to be an item in the budget. “If people get used to it, in 2015 they’re not going to be wanting to borrow those 2012 ebooks,” she said.
Instead, they’ll want the latest technology.
Drury Melsness said the library plans to continue adding to its digital programming, which already includes a range of computer help sessions. For example, she said, in some cities, libraries are lending iPads for people to use inside libraries. “We’d definitely like to explore that inside the library,” she said. “People definitely have indicated they’re interested in borrowing tablets.”
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