[August 12, 2011] Library board get hands-on with electronics Tweet ENID, Aug 11, 2011 (Enid News & Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Kindles, iPads, electronic tablets, netbooks -- it's a brave new world of reading ... and the devices do not bite. The Public Library of Enid and Garfield County Board of Directors got to handle electronic tablets, readers, cameras and other gizmos and gadgets when they met at noon Thursday. Michelle Mears, library director, explained how downloadable audiobooks and e-books, now available through the library's website, work for the library patron. The service is available because the Enid library is part of a consortium of libraries that have come together to make the service available via OverDrive download service. Mears also showed board members the "technology petting zoo" at the library, where patrons can get their hands on the devices and librarians can show them the basics of operating them. "The point is to be able to touch a number of devices," Mears said. "I really believe this is the future." Mears also gave board members a look at the OK Virtual Library website and showed them the process of "checking out" an e-book or audiobook from the site. Once checked out, the books download to a computer and then to a reader device -- except the iPad, which can accept the download directly from the virtual library. The library soon will offer classes to the public to show them how to use the electronic reading devices. Also, the library board approved a new equipment check-out policy created for netbooks. Starting Sept. 1, six netbooks will be available for patrons to check out along with carrying case, mouse and power cord. The netbooks are loaded with OverDrive software so the user can download e-books and audiobooks. It can be used anywhere wireless Internet is available. To check out netbooks, patrons must have photo ID or proof of address, be 18 or older and have been in good standing -- no late books or fines for 90 days or longer. To see more of the Enid News & Eagle or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.enidnews.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Enid News & Eagle, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]