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• The digital bookmobile comes to Champaign

Our libraries are turning digital. This coming Friday, July 17, the Digital Bookmobile will appear at the main branch of the Champaign Public Library from noon until 4 p.m. This Digital Bookmobile is different than a traditional bookmobile in that it doesn’t offer books but rather brings a service by teaching willing people how to download audio books and e-books.

The Digital Bookmobile is run by MyMediaMall.com, an online library where people can download audiobooks, e-books, music and videos. Those working the bookmobile will be employees of MMM, not of the local library. Instead of renting out books, the afternoon will be treated more like a regular vendor show. It will showcase how to utilize services the library offers, mostly downloading audiobooks. This will be the first time the Digital Bookmobile visits Champaign. Teen librarian at the CPL Betsy Su noted, “The service was started a couple years ago, and we thought more people needed to know about it.”

Normally, people download on their home computers instead of at the Digital Bookmobile. The files are too large to download at the library, but if you bring CDs or a large USB port, you may be able to download on-site. However, the library has slow Wi-Fi, and there needs to be Internet access on the bookmobile.

Su said it will be hard to predict how many people will show up this upcoming afternoon but also that people will see it because of its large size and visibility in front of the CPL. The turnout should be good because, Su said, “People want to take advantage of what’s offered to them.”