Borrow a Recycled eReader – Pilot Project

Take advantage of our new pilot project and borrow a recycled, preloaded eReader.  These eReaders come in a zippered pouch and include a charger and use instructions.  Each eReader has a different genre theme.  The themes include mystery, romance, historical fiction and general fiction.  There are ten titles on each device for you to choose from.

You can see what titles are available on these eReaders by searching the catalogue for the word eReader, then looking in the table of contents of that item.  Oh, you should look often as these titles will be changed.

For example, the mystery eReader can be found in our catalogue with this link:

https://avrl.catalogue.library.ns.ca/Record/1284049

It’s table of content shows the following titles:

• The 14th colony by Steve Berry
• The bones of you by Debbie Howells
• Friction by Sandra Brown
• Gathering Prey by John Sandford
• The girl in the ice by Robert Bryndza
• The girl in the spider's web by David Lagercrantz
• The girl in the woods by Gregg Olsen
• The guilty by David Baldacci
• Make me by Lee Child
• NYPD Red 4 by James Patterson
• Private Paris by James Patterson
• Someone is watching by Joy Fielding
• War Hawk by James Rollins
• What it was like by Peter Seth
• When the lion feeds by Wilbur Smith
• The widow by Fiona Barton

You can borrow the eReader for three weeks at a time. 

Have you recently replaced your eReader and you aren’t sure what to do with the old one.  If it is still in good operating condition, you can donate it to us.  We’ll add it to this program and you’ll get a receipt for income tax purposes. The receipt will be for one half of the current purchase price of the device.

Why not give it a try?

 

Charlotte Janes, Systems and Collections Access Coordinator

"How does this thing work?"

   If you got a tablet or eReader over the holidays and want to know how to load it up with free eBooks from the library, let us show you how!   You can use one of our help sheets found here.

Or send us an email providing the type of device, your library card number and how you can be reached to this address: overdrive@valleylibrary.ca   

   Better yet, call one of our branches to book your personal 1-on-1 help session with one of our tutors. These are free and available until mid-February. Call soon, as these fill-up quickly!

If you already know how to use OverDrive, which is where you will find our eBook and audiobook collection, have a look. We've added lots of new titles to fill your eReader, tablet, or phone. Just visit this link and download titles right away! And don't forget about the Gutenberg Collection, full of classics that are always available and do not count against your checkout limit. 

Did the kids get a new tablet this year?  Or did you get one that you will let them use? Our Youth Services Librarian has some apps to recommend, and lots of resources for finding free and low-cost educational apps. Just visit this link to find all sorts of suggestions.

 We will be offering Tablet Time family workshops in the coming months, so keep an eye out for those. You'll learn how to use apps to help your child develop early literacy skills and get ready for school, plus enjoy books and literacy activities. Coming soon to a library near you!

Are you thinking of buying an eReader?

A few points to ponder...There are basically two types -- E-ink and LCD.

E-Ink 
In terms of reading, E-Ink screens are more like physical books printed on paper. They are not backlit, thus they need a light source to be read, just like a book. Their benefits are that they produce less strain on the eyes and are a more natural reading experience. Also, you won’t experience glare in bright lights and direct sunlight. E-Ink also holds its charge for a very long time.

The drawbacks of E-Ink are that they cannot display moving images, such as video or cursors, nor can they display color.  E-Ink can only be displayed in shades of grey.

LCD
An LCD screen on an eReader is the same as the screen on your laptop computer or smartphone. The screen is backlit, thus requiring more battery power. Also, the glass screen creates a glare. LCD screens are also difficult to read in direct sunlight. Viewing an LCD screen over long periods of time is also less enjoyable than reading a book on an E-Ink screen.

The pros of an LCD screen is that it can display full color and video. In fact, many smartphones and tablets double as eReaders.

Which is best for you?
When deciding which type of eReader screen is best for you, there are two things you should consider: your usage and your needs. If you plan on reading outdoors or in brightly lit areas, on the deck, on the beach or for long periods of time, an E-Ink eReader makes sense because of its lack of a glare and its long battery life.  E-ink readers last for days while LCD readers only last for hours.  But if you’d like to read in the dark, such as in bed—an LCD screen may be better. eReaders with LCD screens can offer other options, such as video, gaming or web browsing.

Bottom-line:  for those of you who intend to use your eReader strictly for books and in well-lit areas, the E-Ink models are likely the best for you. If you are looking for an eReader that can do a bit more than simply read books, an LCD tablet or reader could give you more bang for your buck.  You should go to a store and actually handle the different models available to see which feel comfortable for you.

Not all eReaders are compatible with the library software.  Click on this link  to see a list of  compatible eReaders.