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Libraries embrace digital distribution [Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif. :: ]
[September 06, 2014]

Libraries embrace digital distribution [Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif. :: ]


(Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sept. 06--Evolving technology has forced many industries to adapt to stay relevant. Libraries are no exception.

Both the Yuba and Sutter County libraries have transformed how the public consumes its content.

For the past couple of years, the libraries have used OverDrive, a digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video titles.

"There are no fees to rent the eBooks, and there are no late fees. They just disappear after a certain amount of time," said Kevin Mallen, director of the Community Development and Services Agency for Yuba County, which manages the library.



The OverDrive system allows users to download eBooks for a limited amount of time on their tablets or other e-reader devices.

"Many people say they read eBooks out of convenience, but they still read paper books. It depends on what's most convenient for them at the time," said James Ochsner, director of services with the Sutter County Library.


Both library leaders say the number of traditional paper books are still growing in their collection.

"We've been going through the collection and seeing what's being read, and some books haven't been checked out for 10 years," added Mallen.

He said they're pulling those unpopular books and donating them to nonprofits and schools. Some are sold at auctions.

"We're coming up on three years of an expanded computer area, thanks to Naumes, which donated 30 computers," said Mallen.

Just about any day of the week, most computers are in use, he said.

Sutter County has a bank of computers accessible to the public, as well.

"All newspapers since the mid-1800s have been digitized," said Mallen, adding that consists of more than 1,000 reels from their California Room.

All the microfilm was converted using optical character recognition, which makes it easily and quickly searchable.

Sutter County is working with the state to convert its microfilm to the digital format.

Both libraries say they need to work out copyright agreements before that content is available online, but for now, it's available at the library.

"Mango Languages allows people to learn a foreign language from home, and there are 63 different ones to choose from," said Ochsner, in an email.

He said all that's needed is a library card, and the public can access that content as well as Gale Testing, Career Database, Chilton Auto Repair and student access to tests and tutorials.

Thanks to a foundation donation, the Yuba County recently transformed its Community Room into a multimedia center, with two large flat-screen TVs that can be connected to computers.

That room is available for rent to schools, groups, clubs and businesses, Mallen said .

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