Tech

Vancouver Public Library starts lending e-book readers

by Stephen Hui on January 21st, 2014 at 11:43 AM
    1 of 1 2 of 1

      The Vancouver Public Library no longer just lends out e-books. It now allows cardholders to borrow e-book readers.

      According to today's (January 21) news release from the VPL, taking out an e-reader is much like borrowing a book. The devices are available for loan periods of three weeks.

      “The appetite for free, public access to ebooks and electronic resources is stronger than ever,” Christina de Castell, VPL’s director of resources and technology, said in the release. “The key word here is ‘free’ – while it’s possible to buy these ebooks, our role as a library is to buy materials on the public’s behalf so that fun and educational content is accessible to everyone.”

      Last year, the VPL lent out e-books 244,144 times, up from 133,452 in 2012. In 2013, the library added 460 e-book titles to its catalogue.

      For e-book newbies, the VPL offers an online guide, introductory classes, and drop-in "tech cafés".

      Comments