Of course, the library is closed January 1-2 for New Year’s Day, but you can still check out a book. In fact, said the St. Paul Public Library in a press release, on the day after Christmas, with the library closed up tight, “Customers downloaded nearly 200 eBooks from Saint Paul Public Library on December 26, reaching an all time daily high for the eBook lending service.”
St. Paul started lending eBooks in April, and saw more than 15,000 downloads in 2011. With all the new e-reading devices under Christmas trees in December, that number is sure to increase.
Budget cuts mean cuts in library hours in St. Paul in 2012, but eBooks are available any time, for download to computers, Kindles, Nooks, smart phones and more. To check out an eBook, you’ll need your library card and the bar code number on the back. The main eBook page has instructions for various devices. So, even if the library is closed for the holidays or closed an hour earlier, check out what you can do on-line, with eBooks, newspapers, and more.
Hennepin County has eBooks available, too, but only for Hennepin County residents. The Hennepin County board approved limits on lending, effective January 1, because of budget cuts.
Mary Turck
News Day 