Heads up to our iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod, etc.) Overdrive users.  On May 29 Overdrive will release an update for the Overdrive app but before you hit that update button you'll want to review the instructions I've pasted below.  

The short story is that this update of the Overdrive app will require you to re-authorize your Adobe ID after the app has updated. 

How are you enjoying Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed? For me, the jarring part was adapting to the different assumptions of fantasy worldview outside pseudo-medieval west Europe or east Asia. Even when we read Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny, the frame of reference was still Western even if the setting was pseudo-Indian.

The Library Board of Trustees meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month to set policies concerning the management, supervision and control of the library facilities.

As the school year ends, Baby Time and Story Time will shift from their regular weekly schedule to a special summer schedule!  We are excited to offer a fantastic programming line-up this summer which will be announced soon! Next week will be the last week of our regularly scheduled Baby Times and Story Times. 

Baby Time will take place on Monday, May 13th, 10:30-11 am.
The last date for Baby Time is Wednesday, May 15th, 10:30-11 am.

The last day for Story Time is Friday, May 17th, 10:30-11:15 am.

 We are very happy to announce that eBook selection will soon expand rapidly for ELPL patrons.  In the last few weeks two major publishers, Simon & Schuster and Hachette, have agreed to allow libraries access to their catalog of eBooks.  This means that all six of the Big Six publishers (Hachette, Macmillan, Penguin, HarperCollins, Random House and Simon & Schuster) now allow libraries fair

 access to purchase their titles.  Previously libraries were limited to a very small number of titles from a small number of publishers.  This severely limited the selection of eBooks that we were able to provide to patrons.

The rules and practices of eBooks for libraries are byzantine and confusing. This article by Anthony W. Marx which appeared in the NY Times on May 1 does a wonderful job of explaining the confusion of the last few years. And while he applauds the publishers recent decisions for more fairness and equity he also, rightly so, calls them to task for their part in creating a very confusing landscape for libraries, library users and the publishers themselves.  

When should you, as an eBook user, see an expanded selection?  Very soon, with selection continuing to expand over the next year.  ELPL patrons have access to eBooks from two catalogs - Overdrive and 3M Cloud Library.  Having access to two eContent collections is important because only 3M has deals with all six of the Big Six.  All of our eBooks from both collections, as well as all our print books, DVDs, audiobooks and music are all listed in our online catalog.  It remains your best bet for browsing all that the library has to offer.  

Here are some easy links to get you started:

New 3M Cloud eBooks for May 

New Overdrive eBooks for May

New Overdrive eAudiobooks for May

Students looking for a quiet place to study for finals can stop in the East Lansing Public Library!  We will have a designated study space available on:

Friday, April 26 from 12-6pm
Saturday, April 27 from 10am-5:30pm
Sunday, April 28 from 1-5pm
Monday, April 29 from 10am-9pm
Tuesday, April 30 from 10am-9pm
Wednesday, May 1 from 10am-9pm
Thursday, May 2 from 10am-9pm

Wi-fi is also available throughout the library. 

Our system upgrades were completed yesterday and today all systems are up and running.  If you encounter any problems while using the library's online catalog, in-library computers, self checkout machines or eBook lending apps and websites please don't hesitate to contact the library for help. 

We are now happy to offer patrons the option of an email receipt at the library's self checkout machines.  You can select an email receipt for checked out items and for an account summary.  This is pretty easy to do, just watch the on screen prompts and touch the button for email receipt.  If you have questions or would like a demonstration please don't hesitate to ask a staff member.

Today Overdrive, the company that hosts the Woodlands Download Library, updated ELPL's Overdrive site to the next generation of Overdrive software. This means that the next time you visit the Woodlands site to browse for eBooks and eAudiobooks you will undoubtedly see some changes.

In addition to offering a cleaner more modern website Overdrive now offers Overdrive READ, a technology that allows you to read eBooks in a web browser (click here for a list of compatible browsers). 

Not all of the eBook content availble on Overdrive is compatible with Overdrve READ.  Here's an example of a search for Romance:

Notice that only half the titles are available in the Overdrive READ format. 

What does this mean for you?  Here are some tips to keep in mind when browsing for eBooks on the Overdrive site:

ELPL will be closed April 23 for system upgrades.  This means that for most of the day the following will be unavailable:

• Catalog
• Access to your library account
• Renewals and holds
• MelCat requesting
• Checking out and returning eBooks and eAudiobooks

eBook patrons take note, during the upgrades you will be able to read/listen to any eContent you have already checked out, only checkouts and returns will be blocked.

We hope to have everything back online by Tuesday evening.  We'll announce when the system is back online via elpl.org and social media.

Why are we upgrading our system?

This upgrade will bring our library's automation system up to the next generation of library systems.  We use this software for everything, including ordering and cataloging materials, checking items out, hosting our library catalog, and giving you online access to your library account. For now the changes are all on the back end -

Join author Hanan Daqqa for a special Arabic-English Bilingual Storytime.  Enjoy her book "We Live in a Car" plus a craft and snack!

Join us to practice listening and speaking in English!

Open Mic Night with the MSU Creative Writing Center Group! 
Bring your creative writing pieces to share with the group!