by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian
Everyone knows that you can get books by visiting the
library, but did you know that you can download books even if you’re at
home? All of the regional public library
systems in Minnesota have downloadable ebooks and audiobooks available for
checkout.
In Pioneerland Library System, we have a contract with
Overdrive to provide our ebooks and downloadable audiobooks. They are available to check out through both
the Overdrive app and the Libby app, which are free to download from your
electronic device’s app store. You also
have the option to read books on your computer without an app, using the
OverDrive Read feature.
As of March 12, Pioneerland had 4,560 ebooks (the ones you
look at to read like a print book) and 1,621 audiobooks to download. New books are added all the time. You can view our collection by visiting our
online catalog and clicking on “Download ebooks,” by going directly to pioneerland.overdrive.com,
or by going into the Overdrive or Libby app and searching for your local
library.
You will need to have an active Pioneerland library card in
order to check out our downloadable books.
So your first step is to get a library card, if you don’t have one. If you have never had a card with us before,
or if it was so many years ago that you’re no longer in our system, visit one
of our libraries and bring along your driver’s license or Minnesota ID. If you have moved and the address on your ID
isn’t current, also bring a piece of mail delivered to you at your current
address,
something with your name on it, as proof of address. You’ll also fill out a one-page application.
Kids under age 18 need to have a parent or legal guardian accompany them to the
library to get the card and sign the application, since the parent is the
responsible party for a minor and kids normally don’t have an ID.
Your first library card is free. It takes about five minutes to get your card
set up.
If you have had a library card in the recent past but you
have lost it, visit the library and let us know that you need a replacement
card. We’ll ask to see your photo ID to
look up your account. A replacement
library card costs $3.
If you still have that blue library card but you haven’t
used it in a while, bring it to the library or call us with your card in hand, and
ask us to check on whether your card needs updating. Everyone’s account needs to be updated
annually in person at the library, even if they have been using it to check
things out. When we update your card, we
take another look at your ID, so bring that along.
This would be a good time to visit the library and spend a
few minutes getting your card ready to use.
If you end up needing to stay home for a while, you may need some
entertainment – and our ebooks are free to use.
You can’t even get overdue fees on them.
After three weeks, if you don’t return them, they will return
themselves.
There is a limit of five downloadable books on each library
card at one time. You can return them
early to make them available to other people and to free up a slot on your account
for a different title.
Downloadable books work like print books in one sense: the
library pays for each copy, and only one person can check out a copy at one
time. So if someone else has an ebook
checked out, you will need to add yourself to the waiting list. You’ll be notified by email when the book is
available for you to check out.
Our digital book collection offers titles for all ages and
interests. You can check out books to
entertain and educate the kids or yourself.
When you’re preparing for some possible time sequestered at home,
remember that a library card is a great tool to get now.
