PARKERSBURG - The Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library wants to help patrons keep up with technology and use the services offered with beginners' courses in eReaders.
"We want to build a base and see how much interest we have, but I hope we can grow the program as demand increases," said librarian Matt Emrick.
The main library on Emerson Avenue will host four classes in mid-November to aid library patrons who have an eReader use the library's resources with their devices.
The classes will begin at 5:30 p.m. and are expected to last 45 minutes to an hour. On Nov. 13 there will be a Kindle class, Nov. 14 will be Nook, Nov. 21 will be Apple and Nov. 28 will be Android.
"These devices are all different and we wanted to make the programs as helpful as possible," Emrick said.
Last year, one in 40 people received a Kindle for Christmas and the library wants to help its patrons use the eReader services it provides, he said.
"We think it's important to build on these services and help them learn how to use the library's eBooks network, WV-READS," Emrick said. "The circulation of our eBooks keeps going up and up, and I'm happy with that."
Space is limited to 15 people per class. To register, see a reference librarian and include all information requested.
"Our goal is to have these classes more often as demand sets," Emrick said. "We wanted to start them before the holidays to get a feel for the demand and plan to have more after the holidays when more people new to eReaders are out there."
While the classes are open to anyone, the target group is those who have little to no experience with eReaders.
"We hope those library patrons who are, obviously, unfamiliar with computers come in and see what is out there," Emrick said.
Attendees to the classes must be prepared by bringing their library card, eReader, pen and paper as well as making sure they have a valid email address.
Information about the classes is available on the library's website (parkersburg.lib.wv.us/), but attendees must register at the library with a reference librarian, Emrick said.
"Because we want to keep the classes small, we need to make sure everyone is registered," he said.
