Library patron downloads more e-books during pandemic
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Long-time patron Vanessa reads dozens of books each year. She usually reads print books, but began downloading more e-books during the pandemic.
We sat down for a Q&A with Vanessa:
Why have you read more e-books than print books recently?
The closure of the Library and limited access during the pandemic steered me online more. I am so grateful to the Library for increasing the number of offerings available online this year as well as continuing to have print books available for those who prefer to touch paper.
On what device do you read e-books?
I have a Kindle Fire where I read most of the e-books, but I also read on my iPhone. About three years ago I upgraded to a phone that has a screen big enough to allow me to comfortably read on it. Now if I am somewhere unexpectedly waiting, I can whip out my phone and catch up on my reading! I always have a book checked out and waiting for me.
What are your thoughts on the Library having e-books available to borrow?
Love it! I love the path my Ouachita Parish Public Library is on with making virtual offerings available to us all. But more than that, I love that the Library makes both online and print offerings available. They meet people where they are and that is what I most appreciate.
Why is reading so important today?
I have always been a "knowledge is power" kind of person and that has remains true especially this year. For our mental health, we need to let our minds wander to other things and other places sometimes. We need to experience other things and walk in other people's shoes. Reading helps us to do that. Reading also increases our vocabulary and introduces us to ideas and concepts we might not have been familiar with. That certainly happened to me this year with some of the books we read in my book clubs.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant to try e-books?
It is so worth it. People may think it’s hard to get set up and hard to get online. If you can't get set up, someone from the Library can help. People that know me know I am an advocate of checking to see if the Library has it first before I buy the book or audiobook.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I am proud that part of our tax dollars fund the Library and proud of the job Ouachita Parish Public Library does and has done for us. Not only do they provide the online resources, they also have DVDs for checkout, computers, homework help and virtual story time, as well as virtual trivia and other programs to keep us engaged. They coordinate book clubs (now virtual) for those like me who love to read AND talk about what we have read. I am in the Library's Lost in the Stacks Book Club, Mocha Monday Book Club and the quarterly Online Book Club that you can find through the Library's Facebook page. I would love to see some of you there! If reading something good has become a challenge, I hope you get some tips from this article or do what I do: ask a librarian. We have some of the best!