Welcome to the Avid eReader
Question: Is the best thing about eBooks how portable they are? Or the fact that you can change the font size at will? Or is it that you can borrow them even when the library's closed? Or that you don't have to remember to return them?
Next question: am I a giant eBook nerd? I am! My name is Wendy. I'm a librarian at Toronto Public Library, and an avid eReader. I'm writing this blog to help keep you up to date on TPL's rapidly growing eBook (and eAudiobook and eMagazine and eMovie and eMusic) collections. I'll be posting tips and tricks for finding what you want, answers to your questions, and recommendations and reviews about interesting electronic content, both in the library's collection and outside of it.
I'm also interested in hearing from you! Please post your questions, recommendations and observations in the comments. I look forward to geeking out about eBooks with you. Happy eReading!
7 thoughts on “Welcome to the Avid eReader”
Congratulations for launching this blog!
I still appreciate the feel of a physical book, but I find the eBook and audiobook options great for reading on the go. If I’m rushing out and forget to grab a book for my commute, I’m good, because I’ve got some e-Books on my phone.
I use the TPL mostly for the eBooks now, in fact. So I’m looking forward to the information your blog will provide about the e-Book collection.
Hi, Po!
I agree, the phone full of backup books is one of the great conveniences of our time.
I’m also looking forward to posting all the interesting new developments in our eBook collection! And if you ever have any questions, please feel free to post them in the comments.
I love eAudio and sometimes I bemoan that the newer titles are sometimes only available as eBooks, not eAudio. I realize that depends on the publishers, and of course budget.
One that people might like is The Mystery of Charles Dickens. A tour de force, performed by Simon Callow.
http://toronto.lib.overdrive.com/4D6AFBFC-B5FE-428B-8604-C9AA374FBDA3/10/50/en/ContentDetails.htm?id=6BCB4577-AF0D-4778-8E29-EE9A6BAB5E8A
Hi Frances,
Thanks for the recommendation – The Mystery of Charles Dickens looks pretty spectacular.
Fortunately, I think publishers are starting to catch on about the growing popularity of eAudiobooks – did you see this article in Quill and Quire? http://www.quillandquire.com/omni/audio-killed-the-ebook-star-how-audiobooks-took-over-the-industry/
In fact, I’m just about to post something about our Always Available Audiobook collection – 80+ of the most popular titles, no holds, no waiting. Stay tuned…
I didn’t think I would like eBooks, but I’m all in with my iPad mini. The convenience is great. My book club chooses books a few months ahead of time, so I’m able to search and put any eBooks on hold ahead of time.
They’re kind of addictive, aren’t they?
Your book club might be interested in our list of favourite book club reads, here: http://toronto.lib.overdrive.com//10/50/en/CuratedCollection6.htm – all available as eBooks and/or eAudiobooks.
Happy iPad reading!
– Wendy
I started a comment last night that was going to be a complaint about the second eBook in a week with teeny tiny print and no way to increase the font size on my iPad. I decided to Google a bit before complaining to see if I should be contacting the publisher instead. Turns out there was an update to IOS 10 and to Overdrive to address this issue. Looks fine now.
Another reason I like to read eBooks on my iPad is the ability to flip to white text on black background. Much more comfortable reading for those with eye floaters that jump out against a white screen.