Windsor Public Library (WPL) began offering the free loan of Sony® Readers to registered Windsor Public Library cardholders on February 15, 2013. A total of 100 eReaders are now available throughout the system at all 10 library branches and customers will be able to place a hold on the devices if demand exceeds supply. A library card in good standing is required to borrow an eReader and the loan period is three weeks.
“We’re excited to offer our visitors the opportunity to experience eReaders before they go out and purchase one, as well as have their questions about eReaders and eBooks answered by our knowledgeable staff,” says WPL Acting CEO Chris Woodrow. “This will also provide customers a chance to learn more about the availability of our growing digital content at the Windsor Public Library.”
Customers will checkout and return eReaders at the main desk of all branches and will have the opportunity to load the device, either at the library or from home via the WPL website, with a selection of fiction and non-fiction titles, largely geared toward content from OverDrive, a full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital content. Up to 10 eBooks can be borrowed by a customer at one time. Complete instructions will be provided with each checkout of a device and library staff will be available to provide assistance and answer questions.
The Windsor Public Library also offers regular workshops on how to use eReaders and how to checkout eBooks.