Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Ebooks Minnesota: Online eBook collection just launched


 
 
Collection includes more than 2,000 books and features titles from in-state publishers


 
 
 
 
 
EbooksMN.org  an online eBook collection spearheaded by Minnesota’s libraries, is open to Minnesota readers. The collection is accessible online  and via free apps from iTunes, Google Play, and Kindle.

 
There is no charge to libraries or individuals who wish to use the collection, and no username or password is required. Ebooks Minnesota is open to all readers within Minnesota’s borders.

 No process is required to “check out” a book.

Readers can access any book in the collection at any time regardless of how many other readers are also using that book. This feature makes the collection particularly useful for schools that may wish to assign a single book to an entire class or even an entire school. Likewise, community book clubs, no matter how large, can read books together without worrying about checkout limits or due dates.

 The collection contains more than 2,000 books, including titles from these Minnesota publishers:

        ABDO

        Lerner Publishing Group

        Cherry Lake Publishing

        University of Minnesota Press

        Milkweed Press

        Coffeehouse Press

 

Nonfiction titles from Arcadia Publishing about Minnesota and its history are also included in the collection. Titles relevant to the Pine City area include the following from the Images of America series:

·       Hinckley and the Fire of 1894

·       Kanabec County

·       Legendary Locals of Pine City

·       Northern Pine County

·       Pine City

 

A selection of popular titles that are in the public domain, such as "Dracula." and “Jane Eyre,” completes the collection.
 

Ebooks Minnesota is a two-year pilot project of Minitex - a joint program of the Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota - and State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education. The collection was made possible in part by funding from the Minnesota Department of Education through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and by Minitex.

 
“It’s exciting to be able to provide Minnesotans with access to books from such a wide range of Minnesota publishers through Ebooks Minnesota,” said Minnesota State Librarian Jennifer Nelson. “I’m especially hoping that the collection will provide hours of reading pleasure for people of all ages, and that the children’s titles will give students another resource to use as they complete school assignments and learn more about the world around them. Ebooks Minnesota is also a great way to showcase all of the great books being published Minnesota’s independent presses.”

Ebooks Minnesota originated with the Explore Ebooks Minnesota project, a collaborative effort by library staff from across the state that explored the ways libraries could unite to improve electronic book experience for Minnesotans.

 

ABOUT MINITEX

Minitex is a publicly supported network of academic, public, state government, and special libraries working cooperatively to improve library service for their users in Minnesota. Minitex is funded by the Minnesota Legislature through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and is a joint program of the Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota. State Library Services, a unit of the Minnesota Department of Education, provides additional funding to support services for Minnesota libraries and library users.

 

ABOUT STATE LIBRARY SERVICES

State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, provides leadership to Minnesota’s libraries. Division staff are consultants who help libraries to plan, develop and implement high-quality services that address community needs. State Library Services administers federal grants, state aid, and state grant programs that benefit all types of libraries.