August 8, 2008

Check This Out!

A bookmobile gears up to promote online reading across America

By Vickie An

This weekend, the Digital Bookmobile hits the road for a tour of libraries across the country. Its mission: To raise awareness about the wide variety of downloadable media offered by local libraries and to get communities revved up for e-reading.

OVERDRIVE Kids test-drive the Digital Bookmobile. The traveling exhibit kicks off its national tour in New York City on Sunday.

The tour kicks off on Sunday with an event in New York City's Central Park, hosted by the New York Public Library. Throughout the next year, libraries in more than 40 cities will welcome the bookmobile as it promotes online reading across the country.

A Tour of the Internet Highway

OverDrive, a company that provides digital media services to libraries, schools and book publishers worldwide, is the driving force behind the bookmobile. The traveling exhibit is a high-tech take on the traditional bookmobile. Instead of housing ordinary library books, the 74-foot, 18-wheel tractor-trailer, carries five interactive, Internet-connected computer stations. At these stations, visitors can browse eBooks (electronic books), listen to audiobooks and music, and preview movies that are all part of their local library's online catalog. Guests can also learn how to use MP3 players, cell phones and other portable devices to take digital downloads on the go.

Steve Potash heads OverDrive. He says the bookmobile was created to help libraries spread the word about their digital download services. Everyday, more and more people download eBooks and audiobooks from their libraries' virtual branches, but a significant number of library cardholders don't know the option exists. The Digital Bookmobile will help readers "discover all of the wonderful, premium material -- feature films, popular music, newly released novels -- that their library has to offer," Potash told TFK. "And they will realize the great value that their library is providing to them."

So Long, Late Fees!

All that's needed to start checking out downloadable content from a library's digital catalog is a library card and a computer with Internet access. Virtual branches never close, offering users a vast selection of media 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Plus, say goodbye to late fees! When the due date comes around, digital titles automatically delete themselves from your computer and return themselves.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to digitalbookmobile.com to find out if the Digital Bookmobile is traveling to a city near you. Then, "come discover, come explore, and come enjoy," says Potash. "It's there, and it's free."

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