Getting to Know Your Digital Library

When you walk into the Main Library on Harnish Drive, or the Eastgate Branch, it’s not hard to find your way around. Not only is there friendly staff available to help, you can see for yourself where things are located.

Adult fiction is on the right. New releases are straight ahead, and video, audio book and music collections are toward the back. Shelf signs guide you to special collections.

AAPLD DVD shelf

But with a website, it can be less obvious. That’s why I love the new Digital Collections page on the AAPLD website.

From the aapld.org homepage, you’ll find it at the top of the drop down menu, under the ONLINE LIBRARY tab.

What’s great about this page is that it organizes the library’s digital collections by the types of material found in each one, similar to how the real-life library is arranged. Whether it’s audio books, digital comics (they have them–who knew?), video or something else, the page provides a starting place that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for.

AAPLD.org Ditigal Collections page

Even better, when you open each tab, you’ll not only find links to our various digital services, you’ll find tutorials about how to use the services, where to download apps, and more! There’s even a link to email your questions to our staff.

Audiobooks collection page

Which brings me to another point…see the colorful WE ARE HERE! badge on the right side of the screen? Well, we are here for you, even though the library is closed. Our new chat service will put you in touch with an AAPLD staff member in real time, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and starting May 2, on Saturdays, too. So if you need information, instructions, or just a recommendation for a great book, we’d love to hear from you.

Stay home, stay well and we look forward to seeing you again!