eBook News

EBook? eBook? Should one capitalize the "e" to start a sentence using "ebook"?  Maybe I'll just avoid that from now on and start ebook posts with something like, "Yes, yes, ANOTHER post about ebooks."

It seems the competition is finally heating up for OverDrive (thank goodness).  Honestly, healthy competition in the marketplace can be a very good thing.  Since there has been essentially no competition in ebook lending, OverDrive has felt no pressure to improve their interface or lower their access fees.

However, an unlikely company has jumped whole-hog into the fray - 3M.  Yes, good ol' Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing has launched an ebook lending service.  I say, "Bravo!"

The product/service was unveiled at the American Library Association annual meeting just a few days ago.  It appears to be mostly ready for use with a fairly good variety of publishers and titles.  Notably, it does not currently work with Amazon's Kindle as of yet, but does work with popular devices such as Apple's iPad.  If, like Recorded Books', they are negotiating with Amazon, however, this could prove to be a great alternative to or addition to an OverDrive account.

Now that I've thought about it, I am going to always use a lower case "e" even if it is at the start of a sentence when writing "ebook".  Then I can say I was influenced by Steve Jobs and the ubiquitous "i" used to start the names of all their popular electronic items.

Wow! That is loud!

We are in the process of having our roof replaced at HPL.  This is a much-needed maintenance project as we have been suffering through leak after leak for the past 18-24 months.  However, by delaying a re-roof and making do with patches over that time, we were able to set aside enough money to pay for the project out right.  I am not a big fan of borrowing money, in my personal finances or at the library.

The point of my mentioning it though is that the new roof is "mechanically fastened".  Intellectually, I understood what that meant - hammer-drilling fasteners into the concrete deck to hold down the new backing.  In practice though...yikes!  It sounds sort of like some one running a jack hammer in a culvert pipe.  My apologies if you come in over the next week to ten days hoping for peace and quiet!

However, when we are done, we'll have a PVC [edit: TPO] membrane roof that looks something like this:

This type of roof has some benefits (besides keeping the rain out).  It is supposed to reflect heat from the sun to reduce heat radiating into the building.  Supposedly we will save some money on our utility bills, which after seeing the last bill for May/early June will be a blessing!  There are lots of options for flat-roofed structures, I found out as we went through this process.  I hope we picked the right one.

Quiet Reading Room

Study carrels

We are moving steadily along with the renovation of the old quiet reading room.  It is starting to look like what, I think, we were looking for in a nice study space.  This project has been funded almost entirely by the Friends of the Hutchinson Public Library!  We are planning a grand opening for mid-July - watch for an official announcement.  The pics you see here are part of a series that Annette Smith has been collecting.  More of them can be seen on Facebook.  The wainscot you see in the room was created using oak hardwood paneling salvaged from the Women's Civic Center building.

An early shot

Same wall with wainscot, new door, and trim

Now with floor and some of the new furniture

Irregular ebook update

There has been a considerable amount of discussion regarding ebooks and libraries in the past year.  There has been the usual and perpetual speculation about whether or not libraries (particularly public libraries) will disappear now that books are so easy to buy.  And while these are serious issues needing serious discussion, I have yet to hear serious answers that address the fundamental problem at the base of the ebook "revolution".

What is the fundamental problem?  It is an old one, one that first arose in a big way with the computer / Internet revolution: The economic divide that continues to grow in this country.  In library and electronics age terms, this has always been called "the digital divide" and libraries have acted to this point as the bridge.  With the surge in ebooks, the "haves" will continue to be able to acquire the tools (readers) and purchase the access or content and the "have nots" will continue to have to rely on other sources, like public libraries, to help them keep up, even if they do purchase their own reading device.

A news report from Library Journal covering the recent BookExpo America (BEA) sums this issue up nicely.  I think that there is common ground and a vested interest for all of us in making sure that information is available to all in this country.  I don't know exactly where we will end up, I wish I did (since a little savvy investing could then allow me to retire early!)  But I believe there is a role for libraries in the shift toward ebooks, and I believe at least part of that role will still be that of  a great equalizer.

Summer Celebration!

We had our kick-off for the "One World, Many Stories" summer reading program Friday morning from 9-11:30am.  While it was hot, it wasn't too windy.  I was responsible for the giant tic-tac-toe game and gave away a few over 200 books to players.  Quite a fun morning and it feels good to know that those 200+ kids each have at least one book to call their own.

Some people don't like bagpipes, but the pipers we had this morning were awesome!  I climb stairs (for exercise) sometimes and often listen to pipe and drum marches.  That aside, these gentlemen from McPherson were very enjoyable.

There was a story teller from Lindsburg whose tales were both entertaining and educational.  She talked about life as a plains settler.  My kids had a tough time coming up with answers to challenges she posed.  Those early settlers had to make many hard decisions about the simplest of issues - such as, "If you had to choose just one thing, what would you bring with you in the wagon on the way to your new home?"  This was a revelation to our kids who are used to bringing all sorts of toys and books on car trips.  They had a hard time coming up with what would be most important to them to bring along.

We now have over 500 young people signed up for the reading program along with more than 70 in the young adult program.  If all of those who signed up actually finish the program that would mean nearly 6000 books will be read over the summer!

Preserving the past with today's technology

A new technology program!  HPL is hosting a collaborative program designed and organized by Kristine, our fantastic technology trainer.  Kristine has drawn together the expertise of the Reno County Genealogical Society, HPL staff, the Kansas Cosmosphere, a professional writer, and more to create this course.  Here's what it is all about:

Four and a half months of programs, classes and help days beginning June 30th and running through November 11th.  The program is divided into 3 modules; Researching Family History, Preserving Family History, and Family Food Traditions.  Each module will have an introductory lecture, training lab classes, online content, and 1:1 assistance through lab workdays and email support.

The best part about this program is that participants can pick and choose what to attend.  One can attend all of the events, some of the events, or do the program completely online.

One of the goals for the project is to provide the opportunity to create a one of a kind family "product".  Some ideas include; a self-published family history book, a DVD with family photos and videos, a family blog or website, or a family cookbook with stories and photos.

I said before that the "best part" about the program is that you can pick and choose what to do.  Actually, the best part might be that the program is free to participate.  All you have to do is sign up at www.preservingthepast.org to attend the kick-off lecture OR email tossieconsulting@gmail.com if you want to participate but can't attend that first session.