When I was in the eighth grade, I took an Earth Science class. One of my favorite units was the weather unit, in which we discussed, among other things, clouds. You can find quite an extraordinary cloud here at Libby Library called Cloud Library! Who doesn’t love the image of languishing in a pillowy cloud reading a book? While that’s not exactly what a cloud library is, the real Cloud Library is no less exciting.

What is Cloud Library, you ask? It is a service that allows readers to access books in a digital format (either e-books or audiobooks) that can be downloaded and enjoyed on a number of digital devices, including: smartphones, computers, iPads, and readers (like a Kindle). It works the same way as borrowing a physical book from the library. If a copy of your desired title is available, an individual can check it out on their device for three weeks. If the desired book is not available, it can be put on hold. Libby Library has their own hot, new content on Cloud Library, making wait times for really popular titles much shorter. A list of Libby Library-owned titles is available on our website at www.ooblibrary.org under the New Digital Content tab on the right-hand side.

If the only thing Cloud Library did was allow the borrowing of books in a digital format, that would be enough, but it does more! With Cloud Library, Libby patrons also have access to more than 7,000 magazines and newspapers in 60 languages through the Cloud Library magazine icon or the Cloud Library Magazine app, and graphic novels and comics through the Cloud Library Comics-plus icon or app.

Cloud Library also has a self-check-out feature that allows patrons to check out their own material (yes, books, audiobooks, DVDs, etc.) here at the library, using a smartphone, or any device with a camera that can scan barcodes. In the cloud library app, select “check out” on the navigation bar, and 1) scan the material’s barcode; 2) make sure the item is checked out; and 3) stamp with the due date at the circulation desk. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

For those who may not know, all card-carrying members of our Libby Library family, have access to the Cloud Library.

While it sounds a little complicated, it is actually pretty easy, but don’t take my word for it. We will be offering four “Get to Know Your Cloud Library” half-hour info-sessions. The first two are Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 from 5:30 to 6 p.m., and then, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on March 4 and March 18. No registration required, and it’s free and open to anyone who wants more information about using the Cloud Library. Bring your device and your library card. Coffee and tea are on us.

As always, there is plenty happening at Libby Library, for all ages. Thursday, Feb. 9 was the last official meeting of the Creative Fiber Club. Future dates TBD. February is also the month for Giant Scrabble. Each player can make one word per day and the player with the highest cumulative score at the end of the week earns a gift card to an area business. The last day to make a word is Feb. 28. Mahjong meets every Thursday at noon in the community room. Younger patrons are invited to join us for Lego™ club on Wednesday afternoons at 2:30 p.m., and story time on Thursday mornings at 11 a.m.
As our favorite Aardvark always says, “Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a library card!” And here at Libby Library, we just keep getting better.