A happy pre-weekend to all,

This isn't about E-rate, and if it were, you'd be too late, as the window of happiness and light closed two days ago. No, instead, It is about cloudLibrary, so it pertains to those libraries that are members of the Maine Infonet Download Library, or those that have their patrons get free Maine State Library cards to use the Download Library.

Concerns have been raised! Fears have been intimated! Suggestions have been... suggestified? I dunno, it's Friday. Anyway, there've been words, and those words amount to: some libraries might not be aware of what devices are or are not compatible with the cloudLibrary service. This is true in particular of the Kindle / Kindle Fire breed, and perhaps for good reason, but nonetheless...

It is true that e-ink devices like the plain Kindle don't work with cloudLibrary. On the website, it is hopefully noted that "If you would like to read eBooks on your Kindle please email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> and request that Amazon allow compatibility with cloudLibrary." This is due to exclusivity arrangements that Amazon and Overdrive have made, so cL is hoping to drum up enough public support to reverse that decision.

However, for most Kindle Fire devices, cloudLibrary is open for business! A full compatibility list can be found on https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/ , as well as instructions for installation. If you're someone who handles these sorts of questions at your library, I encourage you to take a few minutes and glance over the website, as a number of basic questions and issues can be answered by doing so.

While we're at it, let's address the holds issue. Please encourage all cloudLibrary users to place holds for materials, even if it says that it will be "next visit of Halley's Comet" or the like. Maine Infonet pays attention to the holds versus licenses ratio, and tries to maintain a good balance. So, holds for everyone! You get a hold, you get a hold, and YOU get a hold!

That said, enjoy the weekend whenever it should arrive for you.

-Jared Leadbetter
Maine State Library