Nashville library offers free digital downloads of books, movies

Nashville Public Library has thousands of audio books, eBooks, music and videos for patrons to check out – er, download – without leaving the comfort of their homes.

To help spread the word about what content is available and how to use it, the library is bringing a digital bookmobile to the Main Library today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The bookmobile, which will be parked on Capitol Boulevard across from Main Library at 615 Church St., is a nationally touring tractor-trailer that features interactive computer stations and instructional videos to show patrons how to use the library’s digital interface.

Content, which can be downloaded for free onto iPods/iPhones, Zunes and other MP3 players, expires in two to three weeks and must be re-downloaded to continue using.

Because content expires automatically there are no late fees, said Deanna Larson, public information officer for Nashville Public Library.

There are two ways most people find digital content – by searching the “downloadable books/movies” section of the library’s online catalog or by searching for a particular author of subject and looking at the available formats.

“For example, if someone is looking for the new David Sedaris book, they can search our online catalog and it will bring up all different versions that are available – books, on CD or available for download,” Larson said.

Tricia Bengel, technical services administrator for Nashville Public Library, is working to build the library’s digital collection.

“We’re just starting to build our movie library,” Bengel said, “but audio books are extraordinarily popular.”

Patrons make about 2,000 downloads per month, she said.

Metro’s library system has offered digital content for about three years, but this is the first time the digital bookmobile has made a stop in Nashville.

The digital bookmobile is operated by Overdrive Inc., one of the two subscription-based content providers the library uses to supply digital content. NetLibrary also provides content.

The visit coincides with State Data Fest, a convention of librarians from across the state who meet in Nashville each year. About 120 librarians are expected this year, Bengel said.

Most libraries in the state subscribe to these digital content provides so we thought it would be good to have it visit when they are all here, Bengel said.