Embracing e-Books

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

On December 25, 2011, as Fairfax County residents opened their new Christmas Kindles, Nooks and iPads, they downloaded more than 1,200 free e-books and other digital media from the Fairfax County Public Library’s online collection in a single day. The public library was prepared, thanks to a comprehensive strategy that integrates e-books, e-audiobooks and e-video into every aspect of library service, from staff training and customer workshops to marketing and seeking non-governmental funding to expand the collection. By integrating these four elements into the county's total digital media strategy, the county has positioned themselves as not only just a provider of digital media, but a full-service destination – both online and in their brick and mortar buildings – that allows their customers to learn how to take advantage of the free digital media that libraries can provide in an economic cycle of stiff budget cuts.