The six devices, which were obtained through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the federal Library Services and Technology Act, come preloaded with books and can be checked out for two weeks.
The grant, Watson said, provided for $2,400 worth of e-books on which two Kindles each will be available for adult fiction content, young adult content and juvenile content. The devices have mainly titles from 2015 as well as classics for each age category. They include titles like The Hunger Games trilogy, The Fault in Our Stars, Gray Mountain and The Escape.
One of the book titles on the device.
“There are no duplicates on the devices,” Watson said, explaining the electronic reading devices were something patrons have been asking about. “Loaning Kindles will be the first step to obtaining e-books on a subscription basis.”
That means eventually the library will be offering through its website e-books which can be checked out like regular books for people who already own their devices. Currently the library's website offers book from NC Live, which does not offer best-sellers.
“The great thing about getting the Kindles there was no taxpayer money involved and no city match involved,” Watson said.
Those who check out the Kindles will be given a survey requesting the number of books they browsed.
Watson said the e-reader program will not change the library's focus on purchasing books.
Patrons who check out the device do not have to have Wi-Fi at their homes as the books are already pre-loaded. They have been configured so the reader cannot add their own books to the device and the borrowers face hefty fees as well as possible criminal prosecution for not returning them.
There are no renewals for borrowing the devices as there are for books.
A valid library card and valid driver's license or state ID are required to borrow the readers and patrons must complete a form acknowledging the rules regarding their use. Parents must borrow for children under 14 and sign a form for young adults between 14 and 17.
For more information contact Watson at 252-533-2890.
