Press release here:
Did you know that it’s been 40 years since e-books were invented? Michael S. Hart created the first e-book at the University of Illinois in 1971. Hart later went on to found “Project Guttenberg,” the oldest free digital library online.In honor of the e-books’ birthday, you can celebrate “Read an E-book” week from March 6–March 12. Buncombe County Public Libraries has a large selection of e-books available, including access to Project Guttenberg books. Library e-books are in the EPUB format and can be read on your computer or on a number of compatible book readers. You can also download audio books from the library and transfer them to your MP3 player.To access library digital materials, go to buncombecounty.org/library and use the “Digital Books” link on the right of the page to go to the North Carolina Digital Library. On the left of the North Carolina Digital Library page there is a guided tour which is a great place to start if you’ve never downloaded books before.You will need a valid Buncombe county library card to download any library materials. Electronic books are available 24/7. E-books automatically return themselves at the end of the checkout period so there are never overdue fees.For more information on how to download an e-book or an audio book, stop by your local library, call 250-4741 or email library@buncombecounty.org.