Northfield Library Round Table: Buying an eBook Reader?

Editor's note: The Library Round Table features several guest columnists from the Northfield Public Library.

If you are considering buying an ereader as a gift or for yourself, you are probably wondering  which is the right one for you. Amazon and Barnes and Noble have recently brought out new models.

Kindle has the new Kindle Fire, and Barnes and Noble has the new Color tablet. And then there are the basic, no frills models of both Amazon and Barnes and Noble to choose from, in addition to Apple’s Ipad, which can do a lot more than hold ebooks. The reference staff at the Northfield Public Library did some research comparing the models and printed a sheet titled “How to Choose an eBook Reader.”

The information is only meant to educate library patrons and does not endorse any particular product. It is meant to help patrons choose the right model for their needs. A chart lists the various prices, dimensions, screen information, holding capacity, internet access and battery life.

Library patrons can check out ebooks from the library using the database “Overdrive.” 

The database is found on the library webpage, with instructions on how to download Adobe Digital Reader to your computer, which is the program needed to transfer ebooks to your reader. Books can be checked out for three weeks at a time. If you would like assistance downloading books, call the reference desk at 645-1802 and make an appointment to meet with one of our college student workers.

They can spend the time needed to help you download ebooks from the library.