Sunday, January 20, 2013

Freading is Fundamental



In my last column, I told you that if you’re interested in downloading and checking out eBooks and audiobooks, you can do that on the Library Memorial Library website.

Downloadable audiobooks and e-books are available for checkout through the Kansas EZ Library; this includes OneClickdigital for audiobooks and 3M Cloud for eBooks.

The Kansas EZ Library has added another service for eBooks --- Freading.

Freading works a little differently way than the other library eBook services. It is more of a rental/subscription model, but it’s free. You don’t have to buy anything. It works on a token system.

Each patron using the service is allotted five tokens per week. The State Library pays Freading based on how many tokens are used (we don't pay for the tokens you do not use.) Freading then pays the publishers based on how many times each of their books were borrowed by patrons of all libraries using Freading.

Now here’s the real neat thing -- all books on Freading are always available. There are no holds. If there’s a book that you want to read, provided that you have enough tokens, you can download it immediately.

When logged in, the number of tokens you have used is shown in the upper right side on the Freading website. Unused tokens roll over for four weeks (based on when you first logged in to Freading), then your account is reset to zero, and a new five tokens are issued.

Books "cost" different numbers of tokens (four, two, or one), usually based on the age of the book.   This is always shown on the cover of the book in the upper left corner. Each book is on loan for 14 days.

You may "spend" your tokens however you wish.  You could get as many as five books with your five tokens each week if you wish to read books that are no longer new.  And if you run out of time while reading a book, most renewals are free or cost one token.

Probably, the biggest drawback with this site is that the selection will be limited. While you may not find many of the major publishers and authors on this site, there should be something from smaller publishers and lesser authors that may pique your interest. The bottom line is that Freading gives you another alternative to eBooks.

For more information on Freading and how to get started, go to http://www.kslib.info/digitalbooks/freading.html.

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Also in my last column, I told you that there was going to be a new addition to its eReader family. The Kindle Fire has arrived at the Liberal Memorial Library and is ready to be checked out.
If you’ve always wanted to see what a tablet can do, here’s your chance to find out first hand. Here’s a great opportunity to check out the wonders of what a tablet can do. You can surf the web, read a book, watch a video and do so much more.

All you have to do is come down to the circulation desk and ask for the Kindle Fire. Borrowers have to be at least 18 years old and sign a borrowing agreement adhering to the Library’s policies and terms for the device. Once you’ve done all that, you’ve got 14 days to check out one of the coolest devices around. (And don’t forget, late fees do apply!)

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We’ll be holding a Recipe Swap on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m. Here’s a chance to exchange recipes and ideas with your fellow home cooks. Come down and bring your favorite recipes and a sample if you like.

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Other happenings for the rest of this month:

Preschool storytimes:
January 28 from 11:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Toddler storytimes:
January 24, & 31 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.
Infant storytimes: January 22, & 29 from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.

Computer classes in English will meet on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and computer classes in Spanish will meet on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.

The Library will be closed on Monday, January 21 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

There will be a Teen Pizza Party on Thursday, January 24 at 4 p.m.

For more information, come down to the Library or call us at 626-0180. You can also check out our webpage at www.lmlibrary.org or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/lmlibrary.

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