BLUE HILL — “E-Books” are now available for download to patrons of the Blue Hill Public Library, Ellsworth Public Library and other participating libraries around Maine. The eBook collection is located at the Maine InfoNet Download Library website at http://download.maineinfonet.org, where library patrons can also find downloadable audiobooks.

Also known as digital books, eBooks are books that can be read on a computer screen or with any of a number of devices, such as a “Sony Reader.” The eBooks available from Maine InfoNet are compatible with most computers, and on selected other devices, including iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, but are not currently compatible with Amazon Kindle readers. Detailed information on which devices work with eBooks in this collection is posted on the Download Library website. Free “apps” for Apple devices have streamlined the process of connecting to the download site, making it very easy.

The eBook collection is made possible by contributions from libraries in Maine that have subscribed to the service and together have pledged in excess of $21,000. In addition, Maine InfoNet has received $15,000 from the Davis Family Foundation Grant to help build the eBook collection. Currently, patrons have access to 1,391 eBooks spanning fiction, nonfiction, young adult and children's content. The collection of downloadable audiobooks is currently topping out at over 1,800 copies.

To access eBooks or audiobooks, patrons may log in by selecting the name of a participating library and entering his or her library card number from that library. There is a “Quick Start Guide” on the site that explains how to get started downloading, and library staff are also happy to help. For more information, call 374-5515.

For more arts & entertainment news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.