“A $130,000 grant, the second largest awarded by the Illinois State Library, has been awarded to a cooperative project involving 42 libraries, including the Lanark, Forreston Public and Bertolet District Library-Leaf River libraries.” – Prairie Advocate in Savanna, Illinois.
The TeleRead take: Libwise, a branch of Fictionwise, is apparently the vendor if you go by the look of one library‘s “ebranch.” More details:
The project involves “eBranch service,” providing a print alternative by offering ebooks to library patrons 24-7 via their personal PDA’s or desktop computers.
Each library will receive the eBranch setup and 100 titles and funding to buy about 200 more titles. Each library will also receive a PDA to be used as a demonstration tool, reference books and training.
The project was initiated and written by Fondulac District Library Director Nancy Gillfillan and Byron Public Library District Director Penny O’Rourke. It involves 42 Illinois libraries with eBranch service.
If nothing else, it’s good to see libraries receiving PDAs so librarians can replicate the experiences of patrons and better understand their needs. Wouldn’t it be great if the libraries also had machines to lend to them? PDAs and other portable devices are far better than desktops in most cases for recreational reading. Software used will be Mobipocket–the best of currently available choices.
