American libraries enter the age of iPods

Project "National Library of the Czech Republic" by Tomáš Kozelský (Digital Environment Studio FA VUT)

New York - In the hope of attracting readers back, libraries in the United States have decided to significantly expand the items on the list of digital books, music, and movies that visitors can download to their computers or MP3 players. Moreover, it will not cost them a cent, which is a big plus compared to online portals like iTunes or Amazon. Perhaps the time has come for Americans to "dig out" their library cards from the bottoms of their drawers and head back to the libraries, reported the Reuters agency.
      In Phoenix, for example, the library department has teamed up to create a digital library consisting of about 50,000 titles of so-called e-books (electronic books), audiobooks, music, and videos that can be viewed and downloaded from any computer.
      The offering has proven to be very popular among readers, says Tom Gemberling, a professional librarian from the public library’s electronic media department in Phoenix.

Project "National Library of the Czech Republic" by Pavlína Vokáčová (Digital Environment Studio FA VUT)

      Recently, Gemberling also visited a local RV park, where he informed a hundred retirees, who roam the United States in their mobile homes, about the offerings of his library. They were absolutely enthusiastic, Gemberling commented on their reactions. "They can now find a computer anywhere on the road, browse our library catalog, download an entire audiobook, and play its content while traveling down the highway," he stated.
      To gain access to the files, one primarily needs a library card, internet, and some of the free available programs, such as Adobe Digital Editions, Mobipocket Reader, or OverDrive Media Console.
      After that, you just need to browse the library's website, choose a title, add it to the digital "shopping cart," and click the download button. If the title is not available, it can be later placed in "storage" and uploaded next time.

Project "National Library of the Czech Republic" by Jana Šipulová (Digital Environment Studio FA VUT)

      Depending on individual libraries and titles, the files remain on users' computers for one to three weeks before automatically deleting themselves. No one has to struggle with returning books, CDs, or DVDs back to the library.
  One of the most important suppliers of electronic media to libraries is the Cleveland company OverDrive, which collaborates with publishers such as HarperCollins and Random House, as well as music labels like Alligator Records.
      The company's marketing director David Burleigh explains that OverDrive manages an inventory of 100,000 titles, collaborates with approximately 7,500 libraries, and their media players have already been downloaded for free by millions of users.
      "We also know that this currently concerns only a small percentage of library clients. Everyone we talk to then says something like 'What? You really do this?' Burleigh stated. "It’s like a nice secret that we obviously don’t want to keep to ourselves,” he added.

Project "National Library of the Czech Republic" by Bára Srpková (Digital Environment Studio FA VUT)

      Of course, it depends on the publisher's consent, but electronic books can usually be transferred from a desktop computer to an unlimited number of other portable devices, which include a wide range, such as Apple’s iPhones and iPods, or devices from companies like Sony, SanDisk, Samsung, Motorola, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard.
      A significant advantage for libraries is also the "compactness" of these electronic files. "Many libraries have storage spaces that are completely overcrowded," explains Jim McCluskey from the Sno-Isle Libraries in Washington. "Materials that do not take up space on shelves and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.... that is a real lure for libraries,” he added.