I had a recent dentist appointment and as I sat in the waiting room, I read a novel on my e-reader. A woman sitting near me asked me how I could read on “that newfangled thing.” Throughout our conversation she admitted to me that her daughter had bought her an e-reader for her birthday and she just didn’t know how to use it so she shoved it in the closet. When she learned that I was a librarian, she was surprised. “Don’t these things take away from your business at the library?”

“We are busier than ever,” I assured her.

A librarian’s job is never done. I’ve embarrassed my kids by giving book recommendations in airport bookstores and in line at Disneyland. I couldn’t wait to show her the possibilities of an e-reader, so I scooted closer and showed her how to download magazines. She was delighted since she had already perused everything in the waiting area. She thanked me, promising that she would take the reader out of the bottom of her closet and bring it to the library to ask for help.

People are often surprised at how many borrowing options there are in the King County Library System. Visiting the ebook and downloads page at www.kcls.org/downloads/ shows the options between books, audio downloads, magazine downloads and video and music. If you’ve lost your KCLS library card, head in to a new branch and get another.

Staff members are happy to help with your download questions. You can visit a library or call Ask KCLS staff at 425-462-9600.  With your library card and an internet connection, you can borrow any number or titles and formats to suit your needs and interests. Some of the best things in life really are free.

Darcy Brixey is the teen services librarian with the King County Library System. She’d like to tell you she loves to read, but it’s an expectation of the job.