Digital Bookmobile comes to Schaumburg Township library

Unexpected things on wheels always make me laugh. I would love a ride in the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile or Hershey's Kissmobile.

But more realistically and closer to home, join me from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today for a tour of the Digital Bookmobile. It will be at the Schaumburg Township District Library parking lot for a stopover on its yearlong national tour.

I've seen pictures of the Digital Bookmobile and it is BIG! It's a 74-foot 18-wheeler, and while I'm looking forward to seeing it, I'm not really interested in riding in it. I think it would feel dangerous on the highway. Looking will be fun enough.

Actually the Digital Bookmobile is a high-tech update of the familiar and traditional bookmobile. The difference is that it's crammed full of high-tech stuff including 53-inch high-definition televisions, 46-inch high-definition televisions, interior PC computer stations, four exterior PC computer stations and one Mac computer station. All this equipment is configured to be interactive and Internet connected. Visitors can browse electronic books (e-Books), listen to audio books and music, and preview movies. The fringe on the top, if you will, is a Gadget Gallery with eight high-tech portable devices including MP3 players, cell phones, and iPods for demonstrations and playing. I can hardly wait!

In August the Digital Bookmobile began its yearlong tour from Central Park in New York City. Since then it's visited Brooklyn Public Library, Cleveland Public Library, the Boston Public Library, and 15 other sites. By year-end, the Digital Bookmobile will have visited 40 communities around the country. The idea behind the tour is to demonstrate the fact that many libraries now have "virtual branches." They're not brick and mortar branches with traditional books lined up in neat rows. They're virtual because the materials and services offered are available on the Internet at all hours of the day and night via one's home computer and accessed with a library card. The Digital Bookmobile was developed by Cleveland, Ohio-based OverDrive, Inc. to showcase digital media.

In fact, most libraries now offer a number of services along with access to materials via the Internet.

Mike Madden, Director of the Schaumburg Township District Library said, "If you think about it, our library really does have a third branch that's as real as our main library, and our branches in Hanover Park and Hoffman Estates. It's a virtual branch you access with your library card via our Web site. Starting with the Web site, you can peruse the programs we'll be offering and sign up. You can look at our online catalog and request real books to be held for you. You can download e-books and audio books, movies and music. You can access a number of priority databases with first-rate, hard to find information. Kids can get homework help via Tutor.Com. Our downloadable media statistics have grown 149 percent over the three years we've been providing the downloadable services. We're not alone in having a virtual branch. Many libraries offer services virtually."

More than 35 in the suburban Chicago area participate in MyMediaMall, a service provided by OverDrive. That's why our area was chosen for one of the prestigious stops on the national tour. Amy Peterson, Popular Services Librarian at the Schaumburg Township District Library is serving as the local hostess for the Digital Bookmobile.

"We're planning for a record crowd on Sunday rain or shine," she said. "There'll be all sorts of activities including games with prizes. We'll have refreshments and it's all free. No need to register. Just drop by and join the fun."