Several librarians asked me to post information that I got concerning use of e-books in school libraries so here is a summary of the very few responses I received.

1.       Several of you have your own Kindles and iPads for students to use as e-readers. These have problems with Wi-Fi access and setting up accounts for purchasing books to be loaded on them. Amazon is offering a Kindle Prime account for $79/year that gives you access to their e-book lending library (a quick look seemed to have mostly adult choices).

2.       One person responded that they were getting e-readers and a public library card so their patrons could download free e-books through the public library.

3.       Several of you have e-books from Gale, Follett and Mackin (which offers a portal for both educational e-books and databases) where students have simultaneous access for research. Of course – iCONN offers free e-books for research as well.

4.       Several of you mentioned that you are getting ready to try e-books using Destiny from Follett. With both Destiny and their Follett Shelf, you can allow only online reading, or open it up to being downloaded. The big issue with Follett is that it requires a student login and password for accessing the e-book. The Follett rep I spoke to said that Destiny version 10 due out December 19 will offer more options for using e-books with mobile devices, along with apps available for various e-readers.

From the responses I got, it looks as though many of us are at the same point – not sure where to go. Michelle Luhtala from New Canaan High School said “We only have non-fiction, except for Gutenberg. We are pushing the CES, ACES, and CLC for consortium arrangements for regions, if not the state. As Chris Harris says, "Don't buy eBooks for your school library!" Buy them for a bunch of libraries instead.” I think this makes a lot of sense – and will be more like the public libraries are doing for offering e-books to their patrons

Thanks to all who responded!

Peg Inserra

ERMS Library Media Specialist

East Ridge Middle School

Ridgefield, CT