San Jose Public Library Launches Digital Library
Friday, March 12 2004
A new digital library launched recently by San Jose Public Library is giving Silicon Valley residents access to popular eBooks directly from their home or office. OverDrive, a leading vendor of eBook solutions for libraries, supplied the technology for the new service.
“The San Jose Digital Library reinforces our mission to provide individuals with free access to information using the latest technology and services,” says Jane Light, Director of San José Public Library. “This is especially relevant as we are now serving the student population of San Jose State University as well as people who live and work in San Jose.”
The site features an extensive collection of best-selling eBooks from popular authors and leading publishers such as HarperCollins, Time Warner, McGraw-Hill, Zondervan, Scholastic, and John Wiley and Sons. The collection features titles available in Adobe PDF format that can be downloaded and read using free Adobe Reader software available from the site.
“eBooks are flying off our virtual shelves,” says Reference Librarian Brian Fowler. “The system is completely self-service. Students, business people and avid readers alike can access sought after titles and they can do so from any location in the world. Even when vacationing abroad.”
Each patron is allowed to download up to 10 eBooks. Patrons can also choose automatic email notification when a wait-listed title becomes available for checkout. The process is so completely automated that eBooks automatically check in when due. Nothing could be easier.
To browse eBooks, go to www.sjlibrary.org, click on “Quick Links” and then select “eBooks.” A valid San Jose library card is required to checkout and download eBooks from the website. With a PDA or laptop at the ready, eBooks from the San Jose Digital Library can be downloaded and taken anywhere.
