Going Digital: Ebooks and Audiobooks at Moon Lake Library

Last fall, Moon Lake Library applied for and received a grant from the Tillotson-Menlo Charitable Foundation to fund the introduction of ebooks into our collection. Alabama public libraries participate in a consortium, Camellia Net, which is a collection of over 50,000 ebooks funded by libraries around the state.

Each library pays a sliding fee to join the consortium, depending on its size. For a small library the size of Moon Lake, the cost is $1,500 a year, $1,000 of which is set aside for books we select to add to the collection. This is a significant part of our book budget, so we hoped that enough people would use it to justify the cost.

Now, eight months after enrolling, we’ve been pleased to see how many patrons are accessing ebooks and digital audiobooks, using the Libby app. As of this writing, 255 books have been checked out through Libby, which means Moon Lake patrons are using this resource daily. If you have not yet checked out an ebook, I encourage you to try it. If you’re not sure of the process, just stop by the library and we’ll be glad to help you get started.

Part of the fun of being in Camellia Net has been selecting books to add to the collection. The library book club has been one source of ideas, recommending authors we’ve read for our book club discussions, like Janisse Ray and Wendell Berry, authors whose books had not previously been part of the collection. I recently purchased “Zenith Man: Death, Love & Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom,” a true crime book by McCracken Poston, whom we plan to schedule for an author talk this fall. It’s gratifying to help introduce authors to new audiences. I admit I like to check the records of books I’ve added and see how many people have placed holds on them.

I frequently hear patrons say, “I like the feel of an actual book in my hands.” You’ll get no argument from me. But ebooks are great for travel, as multiple books can be loaded onto a personal device or Kindle ereader. Some people like the ability to adjust the size of the print — with ebooks, any title can become a large print book.

I’ve played digital audiobooks in the car on trips. And the collection is large enough that you can probably find something related to your destination in Camellia Net. Download a Carl Hiaasen for that trip to Florida or a Robert Parker if you are driving to Boston.

Ebooks may not replace hard copies any time soon, but they are a good option for avid readers. Thanks to the Tillotson-Menlo Foundation for helping us introduce these at Moon Lake. We have already re-upped our subscription for next year!

Weekly Meet-Ups: CHESS on Tuesdays at 1; KNITTING and CROCHET Tuesdays at 2; SCRABBLE Wednesday at noon.

Aug. 1-2 from 12-4:30 p.m. – During the World’s Longest Yard Sale, the library will hold a Big Book Sale.

Aug. 3 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – The Big Book Sale continues, plus the Mentone Ukes will be strumming along from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. – Our featured speaker Stacye Hathorn, Alabama’s state archaeologist, will present a session on the Clothilda, the last slave ship.

Aug. 10 at 10:30 a.m. – Moon Lake Library Book Club will meet. Our theme for August’s book share is Alabama history — fiction, nonfiction, or biography.

Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. – The Municipal Library Board will meet, followed by a meeting of the Friends of the Library Board at 4 p.m.

Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. – All are welcome for Family Game Night. Bring a snack to share, and we’ll enjoy board games and cards at the library.

Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. – Art Critique and Discussion Group with Mikel Yeakle, sponsored by Little River Arts Council. Let’s talk about art! Artists, please bring a piece or two to share.

Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. – Mentone Ukes will offer free ukulele lessons for all experience levels.

Aug. 31 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – The Big Book Sale will take place during Follow Your Art. We’ll also have Tie-Dye with Ms. Lynn.