Gibbs Library to Host Digital Bookmobile

The Digital Bookmobile National Tour will showcase the free audiobook, eBook, and music download service from the West Community Library at St. Petersburg Gibbs campus between the SC and TE buildings this Thursday December 2nd from 9-3pm. At these free events, readers of all ages will learn how to download digital books from the library through interactive demonstrations and high-definition instructional videos. A gadget gallery featuring iPod®, Zune® and Sony® Reader™ will help visitors discover portable devices that are compatible with the library’s download service. A video explaining OverDrive can be viewed at the end of this post.

SPC students can also check out and download digital titles any time, anywhere by visiting http://tblc.lib.overdrive.com.

The Digital Bookmobile is housed inside an 18-wheel tractor-trailer. This 74-foot community outreach vehicle is a high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile that has served communities for decades. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, all of which help visitors explore SPC's Library download service. Interactive learning stations give visitors an opportunity to search the library’s digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audiobooks, and music.

SPC students can take advantage of the download service 24/7 when they visit the library’s website. From there, they can browse the growing collection of best-selling, new release, and classic titles, and check out a digital title with a valid student ID. Once downloaded, digital titles can be enjoyed on a computer or transferred to supported mobile devices. Many audio titles can also be burned to audio CD. At the end of the lending period, titles will automatically expire and are returned to the digital collection. There are never late fees or damaged items.

The Digital Bookmobile is a service of SPC Library and is operated by OverDrive, Inc. To check out and download digital books and more, visit http://tblc.lib.overdrive.com.

215 attend Jeffrey Zaslow’s talk at Clearwater Library

Jeffrey Zaslow, Wall Street Journal columnist and co-author of SPC’s “One Book, One College” selection The Last Lecture, visited the Clearwater Campus library on Nov. 10.

The book was inspired by the final lecture given by Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch on Sept. 18, 2007. He died the following year at age 47.

Kim Wolff, Program Director of the Library, and Bobbi Cullinan, Administrative Specialist II, were determined to get Zaslow to speak at the college, despite having no money in the library budget for guest speakers. Wolff tried unsuccessfully to negotiate Zaslow’s steep $20,000 speaking fee with his agent.

That is when Cullinan decided to e-mail the author directly and both were surprised when he responded. Zaslow, who already was going to be in Venice for a talk and book-signing, volunteered to speak at SPC for free.

“He said, ‘Randy would have done this,’” Cullinan said.

As a way to thank him, the college gave him a pocket watch with a quote from the book, “The inspiration and the permission to dream is huge,” and “St. Petersburg College, 2010,” inscribed on the back.

(Source: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/news/blueandwhite.htm)

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