By Bonnie Adams
Government Editor
Westborough – Libraries across the country have been trying to find ways (and funds) to serve their patrons who want the option to read books the traditional way as well as reading them on their electronic devices. Recently Westborough Public Library officials were delighted to hear that they will have some help in accommodating their patrons who want to read materials electronically, thanks to corporate giant Sony.
According to Library Director Maureen Ambrosino, Westborough was one of only 60 libraries nationwide and one of three in the state to be chosen to participate in the Sony Reader Library program; Mansfield and Holbrook were the other two Massachusetts communities to have their libraries selected.
As a participant in the program, the library received a Sony e-reader, which will soon be available for patrons” use. The staff received a training session in order to learn the functions of the device and how to use it with Overdrive, the vendor of downloadable e-books for central and western Massachusetts libraries.
As part of the grant, the library also received a display unit that contains a
Sony Reader Pocket Edition, where patrons may stop and try out the e-reader for themselves or ask questions of the staff.
“We are in the process of working on a policy for loaning out the Sony device to our patrons, as well as two Nooks which the library had previously obtained,” Ambrosino said.
That policy should be in place later this summer.
“We are hoping to get Overdrive compatible with Kindle by this fall, as well,” she added.
For more information about Overdrive or the library's e-readers, patrons can contact the Reference Desk at 508-366-3050, or e-mail the library at [email protected].