Help! I work at a small Library on a shoestring budget … How do I

best assist our e-reader patrons?

Kathy PetlewskiPlymouth District Librarymkp@plymouthlibrary.org

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Heads Up!

Limited staffing

Limited number of computers

Limited technical support

Limited hours of operation

Realities in a Small Library Today

Almost 9 out of 10 public libraries now offer e-books and 35% of those who don’t offer them now, are in the process of doing so.

E-book circulation doubled from 2009 to 2010 and quadrupled from 2010 to 2011.

Circulation is expected to increase another 67% this year.

2012 Survey of E-books in Public Libraries by Library Journal/School Library Journal

Meet the E-Book Explosion

Expect some staff members to resist learning about e-readers.

Train ALL staff members on at least the basics of having an e-book collection. (Patrons assume all library workers are librarians.)

Give your staff reasonable goals to reach but also lay out your expectations for a level of competency.

Training Your Staff

Why is it necessary to learn the different e-reader devices when I love REAL books ??

◦ Public service over personal choice◦ Keep your patrons coming into the Library◦ Despite your fondest hopes, e-books are NOT a fad.

Staff buy-in is the best formula for success, especially in a small library setting!

Motivate Your Staff

It’s difficult for staff to become comfortable helping patrons if they haven’t used e-readers themselves.

Don’t think that you need to purchase every device that is available – 1 Kindle and 1 Nook are a good start!

Look for re-furbished models at lower prices or on sale when newer ones are released. Also check eBay for deals.

Purchasing E-Reader Devices

Friends of the Library Group

Local community groups such as Jaycees, Civitan Club, Rotary etc.

Lion’s Club – Focus on the low vision benefits with e-reader use.

Where Do I Get Funds for E-readers?

Ask your patrons to donate their older devices as they get new ones for tax write-offs.

Depending on your library’s finance policies, perhaps offer a small cash incentive ($25-$50) for staff to purchase e-readers they would then use in the library for demonstration purposes.

Other “creative” approaches to get e-readers for your library

E-book & e-reader changing so fast that refresher sessions are necessary. Take advantage of OverDrive’s free webinars.

As new e-readers become popular, staff “cheat sheets” are helpful at service desks.

Discuss problems and issues at staff meetings – problem solving as a group helps!

Continuing Education for Staff

OverDrive’s On Demand Training

Offer patron instruction in a variety of formats!

◦Handouts for patrons to take home with them.

◦Online instructions specific to your own Library. http://plymouthlibrary.org/index.php/download

◦Videos on YouTube from live presentations and device-specific short help tips. http://www.youtube.com/user/pmth17

◦Slide Presentations on SlideShare.http://www.slideshare.net/kpetlewski/so-you-got-an-ereader-for-christmas-now-what

On To Patron Training

Link to YouTube Videos

Ask your local Best Buy to do a demonstration for patrons. (They carry Kindles!)

Walmart sells iPads and Samsung Galaxy models.

Barnes and Noble are happy to bring their Nooks to your libraries for a program.

Enlist high school volunteers to do one-on-one help during specified hours with your patrons. (NHS students get service credit.)

Bring in Outside Help

Make Use of OD’s Handouts!

MCLS Wiki – MI Digital Libraries

MCLS Wiki – Detailed View

PDF Format

Link to video, slides, or other format.

http://mcls.org/wiki/index.php/MCLS_Digital_Libraries

Publicize the fact that your library offers e-books for lending.◦ Have a display area close to the front door of the

library where you offer some sort of handout for patrons to take with them.

◦ Have clear, prominent links on your web page to your digital book collection.

Make sure all staff members have a basic comfort level with major e-reader brands.

At the very minimum….

Displays can be simple, but don’t forget the handouts !

Provide links on your web site to places that provide free or low-cost e-books.◦ Smashwords - http://www.smashwords.com/

“Discover Great E-books from Indie Authors and Publishers”

◦ Google Books – http://books.google.com In Google Play, you can choose books by price – or free.

◦ ManyBooks – http://manybooks.net Most of these books are taken from Project Gutenberg, public domain, or creative commons, but are presented in an appealing format.

Still Don’t Have the Funds for E-books - Try this…

Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/

Project Gutenberg Free E-books

Colorado Library Consortiumhttp://www.clicweb.org/e-discover-home

Instructions on Importing MARC records for your

catalog

Not every staff member needs to know everything about every device.

All staff should have at least held an e-reader and know the basic downloading procedures.

Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know how a particular device works – go to online help with the patron and find out together.

Sometimes attitude more than skill is the recipe for successful patron experiences.

Wrapping It Up

Time for Questions & Comments

Thanks for attending today!