Delaware Division of Libraries Blog
Division of Libraries' Blog



Division of Libraries


Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest  Flickr  Google+  YouTube  Instagram

  Archived Posts From: 2011

blog-posts

eBooks On the Move: Tablets Versus eReaders

Written on: December 29th, 2011 in Blog PostsNewsReadingReviews

The modern reader encounters scads of devices which tout the ability to enjoy eBooks anywhere. A broad range of options for screen size, battery life, speed, and web compatibility make the choice complex. Consider your own reading habits when deciding which device best suits your lifestyle.

Tablets offer nearly all the power of a home computer, yet are light and handy for travel. With screens commonly ranging from 7 to 10 inches, they are larger than a paperback, but still smaller than a newspaper. The functional web-browsers are able to peruse the Delaware Library Catalog, check out an eBook, and begin reading, all from the same device! As tablet battery life reaches 10 hours plus, they have become an enticing option for digital readers on the go.

On the other hand, the market for eReaders found its audience, with device prices starting around the cost of a hardcover book. The most compact eReaders can fit in a deep pocket, are about 7 ounces, and boast over 100 hours of battery life. Many eReaders have limited web functionality, so you need to use a computer to check-out eBooks, and then move them to your eReader via USB or Wi-Fi connection.

The odd-man-out in this discussion is the ubiquitous smartphone. Not quite a personal computer, but more than a mini-tablet, an Android smartphone user can find the Overdrive Media Console in the Android App Market to download books directly to their phone. Imagine the next time you are waiting in an airport or a doctor’s office that you can use your cellphone and a Delaware Public Library card to check-out, download, and read an eBook while you wait!


blog-posts

Free eBooks & Wifi

Written on: December 21st, 2011 in Blog PostsNewsReading

eBooks linkOn Monday, Governor Markell announced all Delaware public libraries now provide free wifi and free downloadable eBooks! 

You can browse the eBook collection, check out with your library card, and enjoy immediately or transfer to a variety of devices, including Kindle, Sony Reader, Nook, Kobo, iPod, iPad, iPhone, Android, and more. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees!  Check our website for directions on downloading to Kindles, other eReaders and mobile devices.

With hundreds of popular fiction and non-fiction titles to choose from, the new collection is guaranteed to have something for everyone. You can download best-selling novels, well-known classics, self-improvement guides, and much more.   

Please consider supporting the purchase of additional eBooks by making tax-deductible contributions to the Delaware Libraries eBook account at the Delaware Community Foundation.

Happy eReading!

Don’t want to miss news or blog posts?  Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


blog-posts

Governor’s Heritage Award

Written on: December 8th, 2011 in Blog Posts

Congratulations to Dr. Carol Hoffecker, the recipient of the 2011 Governor’s Heritage Award.  After graduating from the University of Delaware with a major in history,
Dr. Hoffecker earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University. She then returned to Delaware, where she worked for several years on the staff of the Hagley Museum and Library before joining the faculty of the University of Delaware. She recently retired as the Richards Professor of History.

Dr. Hoffecker has also served as an exhibit curator or consultant to historical institutions, including the Historical Society of Delaware, the Delaware Public Archives, and the Rockwood Museum. She is editor of the magazine, Delaware History.

A list of books written by Dr. Hoffecker and their links to the Delaware Library Catalog can be found on the Delawareana LibGuide. http://guides.lib.de.us/delawareana


blog-posts

Holiday Books at Your Delaware Public Library

Written on: December 1st, 2011 in Blog Posts

What do John Grisham, Wally Lamb and Janet Evanovich have in common besides being best-selling authors? They have all penned a Christmas-themed book. Find these titles and other holiday-themed books by some of your favorite authors featured on the Genre LibGuide http://guides.lib.de.us/genres for December.

No time to read the books by Grisham, Lamb and Evanovich mentioned above? Also featured on the LibGuide this month is a selection of holiday-themed short story collections. The collections include modern, funny, classic, and poignant short stories to get you in the holiday spirit.


blog-posts

Open Library & e-Books

Written on: November 29th, 2011 in Blog PostsNews

Libraries are adopting electronic books (e-books) in a big way.  The Delaware Division of Libraries has recently signed a contract with OverDrive, a library “aggregator” of electronic media, to offer this technology to Delaware library patrons.  OverDrive will offer the latest in copyrighted e-books, and it also offers access to over 34,000 older, public-domain titles.

What about the thousands of out-of-print titles which are still under copyright?  How will libraries make these resources available to their patrons?  To address this problem, Internet Archive, a non-profit organization, has recently introduced its “Open Library” resource.  This will allow patrons of cooperating libraries to borrow these e-books at no cost to them.

At the recent meeting of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) in New Mexico, COSLA unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Internet Archive.  State librarians in all 50 states will coordinate a project to acquire and digitize 1,000,000 copyrighted titles and make them available to their patrons.  Here in Delaware, State Librarian, Dr. Annie Norman, will be the point person on this project.

The Open Library lending program encourages libraries to send their books to the Internet Archive to be digitized. Internet Archive will retain the books in storage, which will allow them to make one digital copy available electronically.  Each participating library will contribute 10 books.

There are currently 100,000 titles in the Open Library.  More than 1,000 libraries in eight countries are participating.  To learn more about the Open Library, see their homepage (http://openlibrary.org/borrow).

Don’t want to miss news or blog posts?  Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Flickr photo courtesy of goXunuReviews


blog-posts

November 15 is America Recycles Day

Written on: November 14th, 2011 in Blog Posts

America Recycles Day is  dedicated to the promotion of recycling in the United States; one day to educate and motivate people to Reduce – Reuse – Recycle. http://americarecyclesday.org/

Check out the Green Living LibGuide for recycling ideas in addition to ways to practice living green and sustainability throughout the year. http://guides.lib.de.us/green


blog-posts

New Booklists for November

Written on: November 2nd, 2011 in Blog Posts

It’s turning cold, the leaves are falling and it’s time to snuggle up with a good book. Check out November’s booklists on the Genres Libguide for some suggestions.

http://guides.lib.de.us/genres

“Fall into Reading” is an eclectic list of books, all with some variation of the word “fall” in the title. The Thanksgiving Day booklist features books where the holiday is an integral part of the plot.

The LibGuide also features recommended and award-winning books for each genre. Check each book’s availability or place a hold directly from the LibGuide. Happy Reading!

 


blog-posts

Job Center@Delaware Libraries

Written on: October 14th, 2011 in Blog Posts

Today, the Delaware Division of Libraries officially launched the Job Center@Delaware Libraries program. Four Job Centers are now open at the Dover Public Library, the Georgetown Public Library, the Seaford Library & Cultural Center, and the Wilmington Institute Library. These centers are designed to empower their users by assisting them in finding the information they need and in developing skills that are essential to securing employment.

Yesterday, reporter Jeremy Tucker of WBOC sat down with Job Center Coordinators Bernadette Connell (Dover) and Allie O’Neill (Wilmington). Read the story here.

For more information on Job Center@Delaware Libraries: http://lib.de.us/jobcenter

Don’t want to miss news or blog posts?  Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.


blog-posts

“Unleash Inner Genius” LibGuide

Written on: October 14th, 2011 in Blog Posts

What do you do in your leisure time? Do you travel? Work in your garden? Are you a writer? A reader? Do you knit? Fish?

The “Unleash Inner Genius” has tips, tools, and techniques to help you with your avocations. http://guides.lib.de.us/unleashinnergenius


blog-posts

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Written on: October 7th, 2011 in Blog Posts

The world lost a great visionary on Tuesday with the passing of Steve Jobs. He saw what was and made it better. The below commercial from 1997, though narrated by him, most certainly applies to him.

If you would like to read more about Steve Jobs’ life and work check out these books from the Delaware Library Catalog or search for magazines and newspaper articles.

Don’t want to miss news or blog posts?  Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.





+