Two local libraries have recently added eBook readers and many more local librarians said they would embrace the new technology if they had the opportunity.
Barbara Lachance, director of Sandown Public Library, said they have two Kindles and are ready to start lending them any day now.
The Kindle is a device on which users can read eBooks. Although Kindle was the first of its kind, there are other devices on the market. Some of them can hold more than 1,000 books.
Lachance said audiobooks have been popular for years, so the move to an electronic device that can be read like a book was a natural progression.
"We felt we needed to keep up with the times," she said.
One of the Kindles will stay at the library and a second one will be circulated.
Lachance said the library purchased the devices at the end of December for about $275 apiece after she tried one. She said she was surprised at how easy it was to read since she's never been comfortable reading text on a computer screen.
"It's soft on your eyes," Lachance said.
Kimball Public Library in Atkinson started lending its two Kindles last week and so far they've been popular, Director Diane Heer said.
Some people want to try one before purchasing their own.
They're convenient for people who travel frequently and don't want to carry books with them, Heer said.
Lachance said she really became intrigued with the Kindle after Mary White of Howe Library in Hanover gave a presentation on how successful that institution's experience was with the device.
Three Kindles were first offered at Howe Library in October 2008, but they became so successful that they had to purchase a fourth to satisfy the demand, White said.
"At one point, we had 90 people or more on the waiting list," she said. White said the Kindle is popular with people who have difficulty reading the small print in a traditional book. On a Kindle, the font size can be increased to make it easier to read. That's one reason the Lions Club donated money to Kimball Library for a Kindle, Heer said.
Some books available on Kindle also have audio, which allows the reader to follow along with a narrator.
Peggy Thrasher, director of Hampstead Public Library, said she's aware of Kindle's advantages and expects to get something similar soon. She said they're probably going to purchase a different reader that is more compatible with the audiobooks they offer.
Thrasher, like most local librarians, said she's not concerned about people moving away from traditional books and into the new format.
"We're more interested in the content than the format," she said.
But some librarians said they're just not ready to add readers to their collection.
Carl Heidenblad, director of Nesmith Public Library in Windham, said they haven't had any requests for Kindles yet. Eventually, Heidenblad said, he expects they will be added to the library, but it won't be anytime soon.
Bob Rice, director of Pelham Public Library, said eBooks will never be able to replace the original, no matter how popular they become.
"There's something about having the weight of a book in your hands that you can't replace," Rice said.
