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E-readers, tablets available at Bowlby Library

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WAYNESBURG – The Bowlby Public Library is offering e-readers, computerized tablets and other electronic devices to give low-income families a chance to explore the Internet.

The library announced this week patrons can now borrow Nook eReaders, Kindle Fire tablets and Playaway Launchpads, which is age specific to help young children learn.

“In Greene County, there is such a needy population for this technology,” said Kathy Douglas, who serves as the library’s public relations and technology coordinator. “There are so many families that don’t have Internet in the home, and these types of learning apps will help them.”

The two Nook eReaders will be preloaded with many popular books, including the Harry Potter and Hunger Games series, along with numerous other titles. Wi-Fi is not needed to read the titles since they are already downloaded.

Five Kindle Fire tablets are available for patrons with various “age-appropriate titles” for young children, teens and adults. The tablets allow children to listen to stories or read them in the downloaded chapters.

Douglas said the most exciting equipment could be the Launchpads – which are unusual for this area and based on STEAM education initiatives – because they have high-quality applications that help kids learn while they have fun. The apps are grouped by subject, theme, grade level and age, so children can choose a tablet with content that appeals to them.

Children can use a custom-designed interface, which is encrypted to ensure privacy and security, that allows feedback to be shared with parents and teachers.

Douglas said the library, which made the purchases through a donor gift, hopes to get 10 more Launchpads tablets in January.

“We hope it boosts their interest in learning,” she said. “We want to make it available to our community.”

Playaway mp3 devices with preloaded books are also available at the library.

For more information, call the Bowlby Library at 724-627-9776.

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