We here at the State Library of Kansas (SLK) are thrilled that OverDrive’s Digital Bookmobile will make two stops in Kansas in June. The first stop is at the Wichita Public Library on Friday, June 26. It will then travel to Topeka, where it will set up at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library on Saturday, June 27. Both events are open to the public, and run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Digital Bookmobile is designed as a community outreach vehicle for public libraries to promote downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, music and video. Developed inside a 74-foot, 18-wheel tractor trailer, the nationally touring vehicle is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile.
Equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, it gives visitors an opportunity to search the digital media collection, try out mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audiobooks, music and video. Volunteers will be on hand at both libraries to assist with tours, library card sign up, and answer questions about “how all this works.” The State Library of Kansas will also host a booth at the Topeka location to promote the Kansas Center for the Book.
SLK partners with over 100 Kansas libraries to provide downloadable materials of all types through the Audiobooks, Music & More website. During the past year, customers have checked out over 150,000 items from the collection. Nearly 3,000 individual customers use the service each month. The collection boasts nearly 11,000 unique items, ranging from downloadable music, to audiobooks and ebooks. For more information, contact Eric Gustafson (egustafson@kslib.info, 785-296-8152) or Patti Butcher (pattib@kslib.info, 785-296-3875). If your library would like to participate in this statewide resource, Eric or Patti can help you get started.