No one’s saying books are a dying breed. At least not yet.
But if you doubt things are changing at the library, head online.
Launched at the start of January, Freading is Edmonton Public Library’s newest way to enjoy ebooks, a digital service with thousands of titles and anytime-anywhere access.
“Ebooks are becoming more and more a standard part of our service — it’s all about how we can get content to our citizens,” said Peter Schoenberg, EPL’s director of eServices.
Freading operates on a token system, a virtual currency allowing card holders to use up to six tokens per week. Books are given different token values, with new releases usually valued at four tokens for a two-week loan period.
This system joins EPL’s other popular ebook program Overdrive, which Schoenberg says provides different titles and a different borrowing model.
“Books are an enduring technology,” he said. “People like to hold a book and turn a page. We’ve just had the three highest book circulation years ever at EPL, and yet there’s dramatic growth in ebooks.”


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