The App Hunter

Free Audiobooks on Your iPhone...Sort Of

This week, the App Hunter reviews the OverDrive Media Console app, which allows library patrons on mobile devices to upload ebooks and audio books.

Imagine this: Walking into your local library and finding an advertisement for an app that allows you to checkout ebooks and audiobooks on your mobile device! Inside, you yell, "Genius! Why hasn't this existed before?" That's exactly what happened to me with the OverDrive Media Console app. OverDrive has so much promise, so many tantalising possibilities that you can't help but like it. Earlier: A Review of Panoramic Photos by the Pano App.  In my case, I really, really wanted to like it. But the experience speaks for itself. I tried this app out a year ago but was frustrated by its limited book selection and even more limited functionality. For example, I wanted to listen to The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick, Vol. 1  on my iPhone. …

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Library Recognized for Work with Special Needs Kids

NSSED awards Deerfield Public Library Best Practices Initiative Award.

Trustees of the Deerfield Public Library Board praised staff and volunteers at this week's meeting for their initiatives in developing innovative sensory story time programs for special needs children. The local library recently won the Best Practices Award at the 10th annual North Suburban Special Education District’s award ceremonies for its program “Sensory Story time: Stories and Emergent Literacy Activities for Special Needs Children.” Library Director Mary Pergander said Wednesday it was the first time a public library has been recognized by the local special education district. The program, designed by Youth Librarian Renee Grassi for children ages 4 to 8 who have difficulties with sensory processing, was funded by a $2,000 grant …

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Deerfield Library In Running to Win $10,000

New 'Playaway' display selected as finalist in major cash giveaway.

Deerfield Public Library has the chance to win $10,000. It was selected as one of 10 finalists across America in the "Picture This" Playaway contest.  A Playaway is a MP3 player with a pre-loaded book on it. The gadget has been dubbed, "the simplest way to listen to audio on the go." The Deerfield library recently added a Playaway collection to its youth library. Patrons can check them out with their library cards. "The Playaway website was starting their contest when the library got this new collection and we thought we'd enter the contest," said youth librarian Renee Grassi. "We thought it would be a neat display to promote the new collection and try to get a chance to win the $10,000 prize." "We have had Playaways in the adult library …

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