“Eragon” in both hardbound and Ebook version borrowed from my local library.

One of the really generous things about my local library is their policy on borrowing both hardbound books and Ebooks.

Hardbound books can be borrowed for 21 days and you can renew twice, online, with the simple click of a mouse.  This system allows you to borrow a book for two solid months before it needs to be returned!

Once you have your library card, you then have an online account automatically created that keeps track of all your borrowed books, books on hold, renewals, reading history, etc.  Not to mention the library’s computer catalog has a terrific search engine to find any book in the system.  Al this can be done right from your own account online at home.

But sometimes you just want to walk along a book shelf, pull out a book, feel the cover, and flip through the pages.

The local library is also tied into the larger Ohio Ebook project where you can extend your account to borrow digital books for your Kindle or similar Ereader.  And you can borrow both the hardbound and Ebook versions at the same time.

Please don’t misunderstand.  I like amazon.com and really enjoy the convenience of downloading a digital book in mere seconds.  But,I also miss going to bookstores and simply perusing the shelves and being surprised in finding a literary treasure.  As more and more brick and mortar bookstores close, it’s nice having the library around the corner to fill this void.  Yes, shopping for books online, both digital and hardbound, is quick and easy.   But sometimes you just want to walk along a book shelf, pull out a book, feel the cover, and flip through the pages.

Visit your local library, explore the shelves, and get lost in a good book.