Kansas City Public Library Works to Expand Usage of Electronic Resources with eCards

A smart and important project from the Kansas City, Missouri Public Library that’s being launched just as loads of new computers, tablets, and other devices are given as gifts. Nice work in KCMO.
Here’s how the library describes the new service.
From KCPL:

The Kansas City Public Library is making it easier than ever to tap into its vast array of electronic resources, from e-books and audiobooks to streaming movies and television shows, magazines, newspapers, and more.

Beginning Monday, December 22, 2014 – just in time for recipients of e-readers, tablets, and other new devices at Christmas – the Library will offer electronic library cards that are obtainable from home and give users immediate access to digital materials.

The Kansas City Public Library eCards are available to residents of the bi-state [Missouri and Kansas] metropolitan area who are 13 or older and not registered for standard library cards.

“You don’t have to come into the Library or wait for a card to be mailed to you,” says Joel Jones, the Library’s deputy director of branch and library services. “You apply, get a card number, and get access.”

The Library’s entire collection of electronic resources – one of the largest and fastest growing in Kansas City – is free and likewise available to holders of standard Library cards. Among its offerings:

• Overdrive. More than 12,000 e-books and 10,000 audiobooks.
• Freegal. Better than 7 million songs. Download and keep up to five a week or enjoy unlimited, ad-free streaming.
• Hoopla. Hundreds of thousands of movies, TV shows, music albums, and audiobooks. Stream online or temporarily download for remote viewing.
• Zinio. Access to 140 magazines, including Cosmopolitan, ESPN, GQ, Rolling Stone, and Harper’s Bazaar.
• Tumblebooks. Nearly 900 narrated children’s storybooks, chapter books, nonfiction books, and more.
• Comics Plus. More than 7,000 comic strips, graphic novels, and manga titles.
• Databases. Browse thousands of journals, magazines, newspapers, and books. Get help with homework. Prepare for a standardized test. Even create a business plan.

Learn More About the Kansas City Public Library eCard

Filed under: Libraries, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries, Resources