Library has more than ebooks online

Magazines — and an additional ebook site — are also available.

Think of it as a library at your fingertips.

Ebooks and audio books are a touch away on your phone, tablet or laptop computer. That’s nothing new to patrons of the Sara Hightower Regional Library System, who already can access books online.

What’s new is the addition of magazines and a whole separate set of books accessible to just those in the regional system.

“Everything’s going digital,” said Brandi Resendez, assistant director of the library system. “We’re not talking about the demise of the book, but things are moving toward digital formatting for just about everything.”

A library card is essential for people who want to access online books and magazines. Cards cost nothing, and the online materials are free as well. Patrons, however, must create an online account to read the digital materials.

The first stop is the library’s website: www.romelibrary.org. There’s three different tabs on the main page to get someone started: Georgia Download Destination, Zinio and One Click Digital.

Georgia Download Destination is the existing ebook and audio book resource. In a way, it is just like the brick and mortar library, it’s one copy per person. If someone’s checked out an ebook copy, another person can’t get it until it’s been “returned.”

“It’s a lot of best sellers,” Resendez said of the statewide ebook library. “There is a good bit of non-fiction, but it’s mostly fiction.”

Patrons can place holds on ebooks, and then get a copy when it becomes available.

Unlike physical books, ebooks return themselves after two weeks.

One Click Digital is like Georgia Download Destination, except that it’s only accessible to those in the Sara Hightower system. That means less people trying to get the same books.

“Our selection is not large, but as more books come out, we’re building our selection,” Resendez said.

Zinio is different from the other two resources. Patrons access magazines through this service, and they permanently stay on someone’s device until deleted.

People can get about 44 different magazines, including “Rolling Stone,” “National Geographic” and “US Weekly.”

Resendez knows some people might be hesitant about getting online books because they’re unfamiliar with them. That’s one reason the library has various classes that teach people how to use the technology.

Additionally, library staff can help people learn about the online resources outside of formal classes.

“People are always saying that libraries aren’t relevant anymore, but our statistics are up,” Resendez said. “Those people aren’t aware of the services we provide. This isn’t the library you grew up in.”

Patrons should call 706- 236- 4600 with questions about ebooks.