September 13, 2015

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., recently announced that it will take part and celebrate International Read an eBook Day, an annual holiday to celebrate and raise awareness for reading on digital devices on Sept. 18.

In recent years, the popularity of eBooks has soared and readers are taking advantage of the eBook technology and popular titles available at their local library. Through July 2015, public library customers have borrowed 94.7 million eBooks and audiobooks, a 24 percent increase over the same period in 2014.

Readers with a library card can access eBooks from any library within the Lycoming County Library Systemon all major computers and devices, including iPhone, iPad, Nook, Android phones and tablets, Chromebook, and Kindle, anytime, anywhere by visiting http://ebranch2go.lib.overdrive.com/ .

Read an eBook Day is a celebration of modern storytelling. Readers around the world are encouraged to take part in the largest digital reading event by choosing from millions of free eBooks from their local library.

Users are encouraged to share what they are reading and how they are celebrating on social media and join the #eBookLove conversation. Readers can use the hashtag on Facebook and Twitter to tell their story and share their love of eBooks or comment directly at www.readanebookday.com.

“eBooks have proven to be a convenient, beneficial complement to traditional, physical books,” said Melissa Rowse, assistant director of the Brown Library. “When physical books are not available or practical – such as when you’d like to carry many at once – eBooks offer a great alternative for instant access to reading.”

Read an eBook Day falls in the middle of Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the James V. Brown Library joins the American Library Association and public libraries nationwide to make sure that every student has the most important school supply of all – a free library card. To sign up for a library card, visit the Brown Library in person or online at www.jvbrown.edu.

The James V. Brown Library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 24/7 at www.jvbrown.edu.

The James V. Brown Library, 19 E. Fourth St., Williamsport, Pa., is the place to go to learn, connect and grow. Founded in June 1907, the library champions the love of reading, opens new doors to lifelong learning, provides a haven to those who seek and ensures the preservation of public library services for future generations. The library has more 225,000 visitors in a year and circulates a half-million items annually.  The James V. Brown Library is helping to power progress in Pennsylvania as a partner in the statewide literacy initiative of PA Forward, helping libraries build stronger communities.