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Library expands digital offerings: SimplyE audiobook access, digitized local titles and contactless checkout development
Summary
Trustees heard that the SimplyE app will include OverDrive audiobooks after three years of negotiation, the library digitized local titles for a community read in November, and the Communico contactless checkout app and hot-spot rollout remain in progress.
St. Mary’s County trustees received updates on several digital services initiatives intended to widen remote access during the pandemic: integration of OverDrive audiobooks into the SimplyE app, local digitization projects and work on a contactless checkout app.
Michael Dunn said OverDrive has agreed to make audiobooks available through SimplyE after three years of negotiation; the library also digitized local titles, including In Relentless Pursuit of an Education (a local history project associated with the Unified Committee for African American Contributions). Dunn said the digitized local title will be part of a November community read, with museum partners and local participants planning virtual events.
Dunn described SimplyE as “a library developed application that gets content from across different resources” and noted the system has also added audiobook content from the Digital Public Library of America and a set of independent authors of color whose titles are always available in the app (no wait lists). He said these additions are grant-funded.
On contactless checkout, the trustees were told the Communico app (which will allow patrons to check out items via a smartphone or tablet) remains several weeks from deployment and requires the vendor to finish rollout. The library is also acquiring additional Wi-Fi hotspots but said demand outstrips supply; the school system will supply many student hotspots.
The board described a health-department partnership to link older students/volunteers with younger children for remote read-aloud sessions. The library will supply always-available ebooks (TumbleBooks and Hoopla) and curate reading lists by level to support that program.
Ending: Trustees said the system has expanded digital content rapidly during the pandemic and will continue to promote SimplyE, support the community read and pursue contactless checkout and hotspot distribution.
