Monday 2 - 8
Tuesday 10 - 5
Wednesday  10 - 5
Thursday 2 - 8
Friday 10 - 5
Saturday 10 - 1
Kimball Public Library
  67 Main Street, Randolph, VT 05060
  802-728-5073 or 728-6735     info@KimballLibrary.org

Kimball Public Library Offers Access to E-Books
As Technology Changes, Library’s Mission Remains Unchanged

(RANDOLPH, VT – February 8, 2011) — Hundreds of downloadable fiction and nonfiction titles (e-books), by some of the nation’s best-known authors, are now available through Kimball Public Library in Randolph as a free service to all of the Library’s registered borrowers. The new program expands the Library’s current service offerings and highlights the way in which libraries of all sizes are adapting to a changing cultural and technological environment.

All that is required to take advantage of the downloadable audio and e-books is to be a registered Kimball Library patron, to have access to an internet connection, and to own or borrow from the Library a compatible listening device (for audio books) or e-reader (for e-books). Although not every device is compatible – the Kindle, for instance, is not – many are, including the nook, the iPod and iPad, some Sony readers, and more. Kimball Public Library Director Amy Grasmick says library staff is available and eager to teach borrowers how to use the downloadable audio book and new e-book services.

“The communities that Kimball Public Library serves have proven to be extremely enthusiastic about downloading audio books ever since we began offering the service more than two years ago,” said Grasmick. “We anticipate that e-books will be just as popular, if not more so.”

The new e-book service is made available through Listen Up! Vermont, one of several cooperative projects of the Green Mountain Library Consortium, a group of more than 140 public, school, academic, and special libraries that serve a combined population of over 400,000 throughout Vermont.

Grasmick said that Kimball Library has the fourth highest utilization of downloadable audio books among the 144 Vermont libraries that participate in Listen Up! Vermont, which includes many of the state’s largest communities. She says this level of demand serves as a critical illustration of the vital role played by libraries, especially in rural communities.

“Clearly, the service model of public libraries is changing, which is shown by the growth in demand for internet access, the popularity of audio books, and the increase in requests for interlibrary loan,” Grasmick said. “However, the fundamental role of the library as a portal for information and entertainment, and as a community resource, hasn’t changed. If anything, the recent economic downturn has shown us just how much our community members rely on the services we offer.”

Grasmick says the challenge for libraries is to find the right mix of service offerings within a framework of limited resources. She said that Kimball Public Library has begun a long-term strategic planning process designed to help the library staff and trustees better understand what services are needed by the communities it serves and to develop programs accordingly.

Bibliophiles can rest assured that a growing electronic portfolio doesn’t mean that books are being squeezed out, however. Even with the recent advent of access to downloadable audio books and e-books, demand for print books and periodicals still remains high, with circulation averaging above 45,000 annually.

For more information about downloadable audio books, e-books, and other Kimball Library offerings, visit www.KimballLibrary.org or call 728-5073.