Published: April 08, 2009 11:45 pm      

Libraries diving into ‘book river’

Digital age little late in coming to county

CUMBERLAND — The Allegany County Library System is leaping into the digital age.

Beginning this summer, cardholders will be able to use a simple screensaver as a gateway to rating, reviewing and recommending their favorite reads to others. A $6,000 grant from the Western Maryland Regional Library is expected to purchase software for a “book river” screen saver, said John Taube, library system director.

The screen saver will flow with photos and illustrations of newly released book covers the local library system has on hand. With a simple click of a mouse, library patrons can learn more about the book. Borrowers can “tag” a book with key searchwords to be utilized by themselves or others in search of subject material within a common genre.

After reading, users can leave feedback about whether the book was worth checking out and why.

In another digital move, the library system is joining the Maryland Digital eLibrary Consortium which offers downloadable books onto iPods, MP3 players and other personal digital assistants.

Efforts to join in this venture — Taube admitted county libraries are a “latecomer” to take advantage of this technology — were originally resisted because of the lack of selection. Now, however, a company is offering the e-books in Advanced Audio Coding format compatible with the most popular music players and data readers.

From the Internet, cardholders will be able to type their card number and personal identification number into a secure system. The e-book will automatically download onto the device via a USB port.

And Taube said late fees aren’t an issue for this type of checkout.

“After two weeks, the (e-book) is eliminated” off the hard drive of the device, he said. “If you go on a six-week cruise, it automatically checks itself” back into the system.

Taube said the library system should have both programs available to patrons by July.

In other library news, Taube noted Friends of the LaVale Library, a grassroots, community-based program which supplements and supports the LaVale branch, could soon cease to exist.

The organization has not garnered 501c3 nonprofit status in two years of existence, Taube said. In addition, the club recently lost its president and no one has offered to step in for the all-volunteer position.

Taube said it’s been discussed that should the organization fold, a committee could be formed within the LaVale Lions Club to continue programs and services offered by Friends of the LaVale Library.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.