Did you get or give an eReader this holiday season? Some estimates say that over 5 million Kindles were sold during the month of December! And that’s just one type of eReader – there are quite a few dedicated reader devices available now, and tablet computers (which also can be used as eReaders) are becoming more and more popular. There are many reasons for this popularity. Some people, of course, will try anything new and different and always want to be early adopters of any new technology. But the rest of us are beginning to see the value of a lightweight and portable device that allows us to carry an almost unlimited number of books that we can read anytime, anywhere.

So if you are one of the lucky Lexingtonians who received an eReader and is now wondering what to do with it, you’re in luck! The Lexington Public Library has a large selection of digital books available to check out for free, and knowledgeable staff to help you learn how to download them onto your device. The eBook page on our website allows you to search for a specific title or author, to browse by genre (historical fiction, mystery, science fiction, biography, current events, etc) or even to see what is currently available so you don’t have to wait. You can choose either a 7 day or 14 day checkout period, and at the end of that time the book is automatically returned to the library. There are never any overdue fines with electronic books!

But if you still prefer the experience of reading a print book, we’ve got you covered there, too. All of our library locations receive new books almost daily and staff are great at helping you find something to pique your interest. Our website offers many guides to your reading pleasure, including genre lists, Staff Picks, Bestsellers and Award Winners, and books by/about Kentucky. The NextReads newsletter is a fun email newsletter that will let you know about new and interesting titles that you might like. You can sign up for as many topics as you want and always know about the latest thrillers, travel books, Christian fiction, home and garden books, audiobooks, and lots more.

Whether you prefer your books physical or virtual, the Library can hook you up with some great reading material. After all, you need something to do in between holiday parties and sports games, right?