New Books - Why So Few?

Comment:  "Smaller new book section stinks.  My husband would pick up a new book, if he liked it, he would to back & get earlier books. He 'has less to choose from.'  I like to read/catch up on new books by favorite authors.  It's harder now."

Reply:  In February all libraries in PrairieCat, the 68-member catalog consortium, put a new rule into effect to keep all new materials at the home library for 3 months before sharing the items between the libraries.  We decided to see if making the Sycamore Library new collection match this rule worked for our community.  Many people have commented that they are disappointed in the smaller new collection, so we will be extending the length of time that new books are on the new shelf back to six months.  You will see this change in early July as we begin using our new library catalog.

Downloadable E-Books

Request: We receive daily requests regarding E-books for E-Readers.

Response: We do have a selection of non-fiction E-books from Net Library that can be loaded onto most e-readers. The Kindle will not work as they have proprietary software. You can use the Kobo, the Nook, the Literati, and iPad after downloading the BlueFire app. There are other readers that will work as well. You may need to add software such as adobe digital editions to download and view the books.

We have recently signed an agreement with a company called Overdrive to join a library consortium of downloadable e-books and e-audio books. With your Sycamore Public Library card you will be able to download a wide variety of e-books to your computer and then upload them to your reader or player for one or two weeks. We expect to be up and running by the first of February.

These materials are available 24/7 from the convenience of your computer.

For instructions on downloading NetLibrary e-books follow this link below:
http://www.netlibrary.com/Help/DisplayTopic.aspx?Name=ReadingOffline/CheckOutAndDownloadEbookProcess

For instructions on Project Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Gutenberg:PDAs_and_eBook_Readers_How-To

Book Pockets

Comment: It would be helpful if all the books have a pocket so the computer print out slip would have a secure place to stay in the book while it's being checked out.

Response: We stopped adding pockets to our books when we started providing due date printout slips in 2002. Each pocket costs 10¢ plus staff time to add the pockets and we felt that the money spent on pockets could be spent on other things like purchasing more books.

To help people remember when their materials are due, we also have offer every patron a plastic pocket for their library card which can be used to hold the due date slips, each individuals account information is available to the individual online, and if we have added an email address to the library account, we send a notice three days before the item is due as a reminder of the due date.

TV Series

Suggestion: Pie in the Sky DVD Series 3&4 I need to know what happens next!

Response: 3&4 are not scheduled to be released on DVD until September 7, 2010.

Our collection policy for TV series is that we will purchase those TV series that are not readily available to the public. This includes shows that are on on premium cable channels or no longer readily available on television and are in high demand for our patrons.

Since TV series are expensive to purchase and there are hundreds of different shows to choose from,, we felt that this was the best way to meet the needs of the residents of Sycamore. If we don't own it, we can borrow it from another library in the our library system or you can watch for it on TV.

Your request meets the high demand and not readily available qualification. We are in the process of ordering the first two seasons and will purchase 3&4 when they are available in September.