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Community Corner

Checking Out EBooks at the Library

And remembering the man responsible for the first and largest single collection of free eBooks.

This week’s column was submitted by Cathy Friedman, eLibrarian in Reference Services at the Des Plaines Public Library.

The has been talking about eBooks for more than 10 years. Most definitely the subject has ramped up in the last year given the explosion of devices. In some form or another the library has provided access to digital books through a computer or through a device for a long time.

This is mentioned not only to highlight the public library's role in adopting emerging technologies that promote access to information, but also to take a moment to remember Michael S. Hart. He died in September and was the founder of Project Gutenberg, the nonprofit organization known as the first producer of free eBooks.

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Michael Hart started with the Declaration of Independence, and then continued to provide access to thousands of great literary classics. EBooks have become such a glossy industry; it's easy to forget such a contribution.

Earlier:

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If you have an eReader like a Nook, Kindle, Sony Reader, or a smartphone, a tablet or just a computer, you can use the Des Plaines Library for free downloadable eBooks. These can be accessed through the library catalog or directly at MyMediaMall.net.  At that site, you will find bestsellers, and you can also check out the special collection called "always available" eBooks.  These are the Project Gutenberg titles and they have been around for decades.

To learn more about the Des Plaines Library's services regarding eBooks call us at (847) 376-2840, drop-in at one of our MyMediaMall computer lab sessions, browse the catalog for eBooks, or check out an eReader device at the third floor Readers’ Services desk.

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