eReaders at the Merc

We’ve added a couple of eReades to our collection, and so far, patrons seem to like them.  We went with Barnes and Nobles’ “Nook Simple Glow” and so far, both devices are loaded with Killing Lincoln by  Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard (it should be noted that this book has come under fire for a number of historical inaccuracies that allegedly contribute to conspiracy theories), The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green, as well as January’s First Wednesday discussion book, The Enormous Room, by E.E. Cummings, although the edition we have loaded on our Nooks, from gutenberg.org, doesn’t include Cumming’s sketches, or translations of the French phrases that occur throughout the text.  We encourage you to come check out our Nooks and let us know what books you’d like to read on them.  -Ed Scripsi

eNiches, eBooks, and Nooks

This morning, your library ordered a pair of NOOK Simple Touches™.  We shelled out for the “glow” option, which means that library members who check out these devices will be able to read in bed–with the lights off.  That’s free literature and free electricity, compliments of the good old Merc.  We will require a  valid credit card number as collateral against loss or damage, but hope the devices will help provide our patrons with the materials they need, especially items not in the collection but needed on short notice.

Given the historic nature of the occasion–the leaping off into uncharted electronic territory of our venerable anachronism of a library–perhaps we should engage further in the dialogue over the pluses and minuses of this new way of reading.  The discussion is evidently taking place on television, a sometimes controversial medium of its own.  Whether you agree with Jonathan Safran Foer or Tim O’Reilly, the verdict is clear: Foer can definitely rock a beard.

-Ed Scripsi