Every trip I take requires plenty of reading
material to carry along. After all, you never know when you might get a chance
to read and you certainly don’t want to be stuck reading labels, assembly
instructions, and so forth. I like to take at least several books, an audio or
two, and several magazines. Sometimes I need an extra bag just to tote all this
necessary stuff. See?
With the advent of eBooks, eAudios, and
eMagazines, I have to confess that I still prefer to put my hands on the book
or the magazine. There’s just something about the experience of holding the
book in your hands and turning the pages (sometimes quickly) that electronic
devices just do not equal. A year or so ago, though, I had an “AHA” moment. I
was traveling light and decided to try the CMRLS Axis 360 and Flipster apps for
my reading/listening needs. I downloaded an audio and a book from the Magic
Wall, then I went to Flipster and found a magazine to download. The great thing
about this download was I could get all three items where I could read/listen
while offline. Who knew you could have access without an Internet connection?
Well, you can! The other great thing was IT WAS FREE. Using my library card, there was no cost to
borrow all these items.
So off I went on my trip with just my iPad as my
reading buddy and guess what? I found happiness and joy reading on an electronic
device plus my load was much lighter. Did my discovery cause me to abandon my
old friend, the book? No. Never. But I have found a balance to the book vs.
eBook question because sometimes it is just more convenient to have the
electronic version of my current read. I’ve been known to have the book checked
out and the eBook as well and trade back and forth.
The holidays are coming up and many of us will be
traveling to visit family and/or friends. If you haven’t tried any of our free
electronic books, audios, or magazines, experiment on your next trip. Download
an item or two and give them a whirl. You might find, like me, that it’s a
wonderful complement to your reading pleasure. To access these items, all you
need is your library card. Go to our website, www.cmrls.lib.ms.us and click on
the “Digital Library” tab. You will see the link to the Magic Wall for eBooks
and downloadable audios and Flipster for downloadable magazines. Give it a try this holiday season…then let us
know what you think.
Please come join Ms. Tina at the Florence Library on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 5:00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the meeting room where we will learn to make
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