Written by Melissa, staff member, Information Technology
Many people have just recently discovered the joy of e-reading. What better time than now to embrace a new way of accessing literature? Accessing our e-book collection is a fantastic way to meet your need to read. Here, we share several benefits of e-reading that apply now, and always.
So, what is an e-book, anyway?
An e-book is a lot like the books that you would find on our Library’s shelves, but in electronic format. E-books, opens a new window can be read on your phone, tablet, computer, or e-reader. Search for them in our catalogue, opens a new window, the same way you would regular books, or via specific tools in our E-Library, opens a new window.
We love all the formats that our Library offers—from books on CD, to large print books, and everything in between—but, e-books do offer some benefits over other formats.
E-Book benefits
1. Save a trip to the Library
There’s no doubt that the Library is a wonderful place to visit, but you won’t have to go very far to borrow e-books. Once your e-book is available, you can download it at any hour of the day, any day of the year, all from the comfort of your own home.
2. Easy returns
If you often forget to return your books once you are done with them, e-books will make your life easier by automatically returning themselves at the end of your loan period.
3. Read anytime, anywhere
Read on the go and take your whole library with you! Whether it's on the bus, train, airplane, or even just to stand in line at the grocery store.
4. One device, many books
If you’re not sure which book to pack, e-books eliminate the need to choose one book over another. Carry around hundreds, or even thousands, of books on your mobile device, tablet, e-reader, or laptop.
5. A dictionary at your fingertips
With many e-books, you can use the built-in dictionary feature to define an unfamiliar word. On most devices, you can do this by pressing and holding the word you'd like to look up.
6. Search in seconds
With many e-books, you have the ability to search through an entire book in seconds. Easily pinpoint information using the search function, instead of turning page after page to find what you’re looking for.
7. Customize how you read
Adjust the text size to be as small or as large as you’d like. You’ll also have options to adjust other settings, such as margins, line spacing, font style, brightness, and much more.
Our collection is always growing
Halifax Public Libraries has e-book collections for all ages, and you’ll find every type of e-book you can imagine, from the classics to today’s bestsellers.
New to the Library? Welcome! Get a card and get started, opens a new window.
Kids will love TumbleBooks, opens a new window, and you’ll fall in love with Libby, by OverDrive and hoopla, opens a new window. If you’re looking for e-books in accessible formats, you may want to check out our CELA Collection, opens a new window.
Browse our e-book collections, opens a new window to get started. If you’re not sure how to get started with one of our E-Library resources, check out our tutorials on Niche Academy, opens a new window.
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