Wednesday, April 21 2004
Cleveland Public Library was first among a national network of public libraries to add Mobipocket eBooks to their download libraries. With the free Mobipocket Reader software, patrons can download and read titles on Motorola, Samsung, and Nokia Smartphones, virtually all PDAs, and on personal and notebook computers.
"It's surprising how clear and readable eBooks appear on the color screen of my Motorola cell phone," stated Cleveland Public Librarian Cynthia Orr. "With my AT&T Wireless account and Motorola Smartphone, I can browse the library website, download eBook titles to the phone and begin to read. Mobipocket software is easy to use and with the phone's built-in media card, I can transfer eBooks to my PDA or PC to finish reading a title. As with Adobe eBooks in PDF, after the lending period expires, the title automatically returns itself to the library ready for the next patron," she added.
Mobipocket (www.mobipocket.com) is the only free eBook reader that provides instant access to and onscreen reading of thousands of eBooks using mobile phones as well any PDA or PC device. It is one of the fastest-growing eBook formats. Industry analysts report that Smartphone sales have grown over 400% this year and are expected to be adopted by over 50 million users in the next three years.
Claudia Weissman, Director of Business Development at OverDrive said, "We're excited to be bringing the most portable eBook format available today to mobile library patrons. Added to the tremendous success and adoption of AdobeR Reader, MobipocketR Reader multiplies options for clear on-screen reading of reference and popular fiction on a growing list of mobile phone and PDA products," she stated.
Library eBooks are available from dozens of leading publishers including HarperCollins Perfectbound, McGraw-Hill, Time Warner, RosettaBooks, eReads, and Fictionwise. Cleveland Public Library was followed by Cuyahoga County Public Library, Essex County Library (UK) and dozens of others that now offer titles in Mobipocket format.
