To the editor:
Borrowing ebooks and audiobooks from the library just got a whole lot easier for users of many Nook ereaders. Last week, Barnes & Noble added the OverDrive Media Console app to the store front. This free-of-charge app enables users to wirelessly borrow ebooks and MP3 audiobooks from the library.
That means, wherever you go, the library can go with you. As long as you have a mobile device, a Wi-Fi connection and a library card, the library is there with you. Night or day, weekends and holidays. Whether you are in Mifflin or Juniata counties - or in Alaska - you can take your local library with you wherever you go.
Nook devices have always enabled users to read ebooks borrowed from libraries, but the process was a pain, requiring downloading the ebook from the library website to a computer and then transferring the ebook to the Nook device with a USB cable. Now with many Nook tablets, the ebook can be downloaded right to your device.
On your Nook, go to your "shop" browser. This takes you to the Barnes and Noble eStore. Then you can either search "OverDrive app" or the OverDrive app icon will appear if you browse the "new apps" section. Download it, enter an email address for updates, and then you are good to go.
Mifflin County Library and Juniata County Library both partner with Centre County Regional Libraries to offer the "Central Pennsylvania Libraries Downloadable Media" eLibrary. "OverDrive" is the name of the company where we purchase our ebooks. So as long as you have a valid library card from these libraries, you can download ebooks wherever you are from our websites.
I have read about 80 books so far this year (and it's only October). Paperbacks are on average $6.99 a book. The average reader (who is not a book nerd like me) reads three books per month which equals $251.64 a year if you buy three paperbacks per month per year. This doesn't count the newest hard cover books like James Patterson which runs about $19.20 (which is the cost for his latest book "Zoo").
So really, the library will save you money. It's all free. And with your mobile device, your public library is available to you 24/7. The Central PA eLibrary (available through the library's web page) has all the newest books, children's books, young adult titles, plus a great collection of nonfiction like Fodor's travel books and language media. It is a separate "all-the-time" library but a library nonetheless.
Also, patrons with a Mifflin or Juniata County library card can apply for a Free Library of Philadelphia card at www.freelibrary.org. Just log on and apply. It's free. And the ebooks download to your device the same way. Free Library offers a larger collection of ebooks and is available for Pennsylvania residents.
As always, we are here to help. If you are having trouble trying to figure out how to download ebooks with your mobile device, or have questions about the Central PA eLibrary or the Free Library website, come in or call the Mifflin County Library at 242-2391. We are happy to help. After all, the library's job is to get people excited about reading and excited about books - and excited about libraries.
Susan Miriello
Youth Services Librarian
Mifflin County Library
