Before you hop into a car or plane to get away for the long holiday weekend, check out the eBook options at the Royal Oak Public Library (ROPL).
The library unveiled OverDrive in 2009, which offers cardholders opportunities to catch up on summer reading using tablets, smartphones and eReaders.
"We have seen the popularity of eBooks increase more than ten fold," said Mary Karshner, ROPL director. "In July 2009, there were 132 downloads. By January 2013, our highest month so far, there were 2056 downloads. In this fiscal year, we are averaging just over 1600 downloads a month; last fiscal year it was just over 1,000."
OverDrive makes it easy to browse for and download new books. It is compatible with Android devices, Apple iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook.
Since January 2013, the most frequently downloaded book at ROPL was Fifty Shades of Grey, followed by Gone Girl and The Litigators. Some of the most popular non-fiction books are Detroit by Scott Martelle and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling. Harry Potter and The Hobbit are also high in popularity, according to Karshner.
Get started
- A Royal Oak Public Library card beginning with 29065.
- A computer with Internet access. A computer is not necessary if you are using an Android or Apple tablet or smartphone.
- Free software available on the OverDrive website. No extra software needed if you are using a Kindle.
- Visit OverDrive at http://ebooks.mcls.org to begin borrowing. Because of the demand for the eBooks the check out period is only two weeks, as opposed to three weeks with print books.
Need help?
The library periodically has programs for people with eReaders who want to learn how to download books from ROPL."Every Monday evening there is also a walk-in tech help session where people can get one on one advice and help on how to download books to their e-readers," Karshner said.
For those who think the eBook portends the end of the print book, a comparative statistic should cheer them up: Royal Oak Public Library circulates an average of 23,000 print books a month.
"We also have a large collection of audio books on CD or preloaded MP3 format that can provide entertainment while making those long summer road trips. We also have a large collection of music on cd that might help beat car trip blahs," Karshner said.
ROPL is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday an Wednesday, noon- 9 p.m.Tuesday and Thursday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed Sunday. The library will be closed July 4 in recognition of Independence Day.
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