Digital Bookmobile making stop in West Chicago

With the increasing popularity of e-reading, OverDrive's Digital Bookmobile will be making a stop at West Chicago Public Library on Wednesday to teach residents about the benefits of eBooks.

The Bookmobile is on a national tour and the West Chicago library is one of just four it will visit in Illinois - along with River Forest, Fountaindale and Joliet.

"We're really excited to be one of four when there are literally hundreds of libraries in Illinois to choose from," library Director Benjamin Weseloh said. The 42-foot-long bookmobile features interactive work stations with video tutorials that show how to download eBooks on devices and how to work the eBook borrowing process. A gadget gallery will allow visitors to test what kind of devices they like best.

Workers from both the library and OverDrive will be on hand to assist residents and answer questions.

"The patrons are not going to be able to leave that library without knowing how to download an eBook device," Weseloh said.

Weseloh said the Bookmobile visit will help increase the visibility of the library's digital collection.

"At least half the material that we are adding on a monthly basis is digital," Weseloh said. "That collection is growing and we want people to know we have this growing digital collection that has several advantages ... It's something they ought to get on board with and we'd like to expose them to this during this bookmobile event."

Residents are invited to bring their own devices and there will be a drawing for a Kindle Fire.

The event is free and runs from noon to 6 p.m. at the library, 118 W Washington St.