I just dragged myself into the 21st century by buying a Kindle Fire. I haven’t had so much fun in years! This is not a commercial for the Kindle; there are lots of gadgets that do the same things, and some that do more, and someday I may upgrade, but for now just downloading free eBooks and watching movies on a tiny screen is making me stupid happy (not to mention playing Words with Friends and Temple Run; and if you have a subscription to the The New Yorker, I tell you their app and online edition is FABulous).
I wasn’t sure I’d like reading a book on a computer screen; it’s like work. If you spend all day sitting upright at a desk staring at a computer, you don’t want to do it at home. But when they got the size right—when you could hold the thing in your hand and kick back in the Barcalounger—well, that’s different. (I bought a cover with a hand strap for ease of holding. Works great!)
Austin Public Library rolled out its eBook service last year. Here are links to directions on how to get started.
Downloadable Catalog (our eBook collection)
APL's Virtual Library (access and instructions)
eBooks on iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch
eBooks on Nook/Nook Color
eBooks on Sony Reader
eBooks on Kindle
