WCPL: Read An Ebook Day
By Melissa Chapman
Cataloging Supervisor
WARSAW — Sept. 18 is “Read An eBook Day.” For those who are wondering what an eBook is, it is a book in electronic format. When borrowed or purchased, eBooks are downloaded to a reading device, such as a laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.
Some digital books are available free of cost on various websites. Many libraries now have digital collections. The Warsaw Community Public Library offers many digital services to the community, such as RB digital, hoopla, and OverDrive to name a few. WCPL even has an eBook blog (https://wcplebooks.wordpress.com/) that has reviews and information about our eBook collection.
Read an eBook day has its own website at readanebookday.com. They are promoting a chance to win a Kobo Aura One from OverDrive, which is a state of the art reading device.
There are many advantages to using eBooks. They are delivered almost instantaneously; they are portable and take up less space. You can carry a library of hundreds of books with you and the best advantage is that no trees are harmed for the pages of eBooks. In most cases, they are exactly like a printed book with numbered pages, a table of contents, and pictures and graphics.
Many eBooks come with bonuses, which usually are not in printed versions. They also have links for easy access to more information with related websites. Furthermore, fonts can be resized to meet the readers’ visual needs.
Even though there are many advantages to eBooks, there are still disadvantages. In some instances, it is easier to have a physical book. For example, you can leave a book unattended at the beach or pool but cannot do that with a $100 Kindle without the risk of theft. When you are going to a favorite author’s book signing, a signed book is necessary. Some people love to curl up with a tangible ebook, and the smell of the paper. It has even been suggested that reading on screen can result in less comprehension as well as affecting sleep patterns.
If interested in celebrating “Red An eBook Day,” stop in at the reference desk at the Warsaw Community Public Library, and ask for assistance in how to gain access to hundreds of eBooks. the library’s hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Whatever you prefer to read, be it a tangible or electronic book, as long as you read and keep reading it is a win.