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ZEBULON - Libraries have changed greatly since I was in high school. With the rapid advancements in technology, not only research tools but also general reading has been made far more readily available in the form of ebooks and online reading. Today I discovered a new tool that has our staff so excited, we just can’t wait to share it with you.
Google Chrome now offers an extension that allows Amazon users to also check book availability at their local libraries. Here’s how it works.
First of all, choose Google Chrome as your browser. This extension does not work on other browsers. From the home screen you can type “library extension” in the search bar, or go directly to libraryextension.com. Then choose “Install on Chrome.”
Once the extension is installed, which generally takes only a couple of seconds, you will see a book icon in the top right corner of the tool bar. That means the program is successfully installed. Click on the book icon and choose the library (or libraries) you would like to set for your searches.
Now comes the fun part. Go to Amazon.com and search for books. Once a specific title is chosen, the information box on the right will tell you if that book is available at your public library.
But wait – there’s more! Also included in the information bar is a Hold button that will link you directly to the PINES catalog so you can place a hold on your book. Your friendly neighborhood library staff will receive instant notification of your request and will pull your selection from the shelves and hold it at the front desk, eagerly awaiting your arrival.
Along with the new high in multi-tasking comes the pleasant problem of decision making. Do I want to purchase the book from Amazon? Do I want to check it out of the library for free? Now you have the opportunity to do both at the same time and get started on those first few chapters while waiting for your purchase to arrive.
The Library Extension also works on the Barnes & Noble site, GoodReads, and Accelerated Reader Bookfinder.
For more information on the Library Extension and other newfangled and fun tools, the public library invites you to stop in and let us help you figure it out. As our friend Dr. Seuss would say, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”