Chesterfield launches digital library

It's a brand new world for book readers in this digital age.

Those were the words David Chu, 62, of Midlothian used yesterday to describe his tour of the 74-foot Digital Bookmobile parked at the Chesterfield County's Central Library parking lot.

Chu, the assistant director for administration at Central State Hospital in Petersburg, imagined himself downloading a book to an e-reader he plans to buy and reading that book at Maymont on a sunny day like yesterday.

"Look at the possibilities: e-books, audio books, video books and music," he said, looking at one of the laptops in the bookmobile.

As e-books gain popularity, the Chesterfield library system launched its digital library with the Digital Bookmobile, which is on a national tour to demonstrate the free downloads. Digital collections also are available at Henrico County libraries.

Chesterfield's new service went online Monday with 2,000 electronic and audio titles available for patrons to download to their computers, iPods and MP3 players, public service administrator Nanci Clary said. Since Monday, 250 digital titles have been checked out, she said.

"We know that our customers are using portable and electronic devices. So it makes perfect sense," she said.

Patrons have the option of checking out books for seven, 14 or 21 days. The expansion of the digital book collection will depend on demand and funding, she said. The video books and music are not yet available, but they may be added, Clary said.

The new service gives patrons 24-hour access, and they won't have to pay late fees or fines for lost or damaged items because they don't have to return anything, said Bonnie Yoho from the publications and marketing department for the Chesterfield library system.

The digital library includes some classics, best-sellers and book collections, all with unlimited access -- fitting for students or reading groups, Clary said.

"You can have 25 people come in and check out that same title," she said.

Scott Davis came in with her three children to take a tour of the Digital Bookmobile, which is equipped with several laptops and TV screens with information on the new service. She said the digital service is not for her, but it would benefit her children.

"I can't imagine myself reading a book on my computer," she said. "But I think the kids would really enjoy it. I think it's great, especially for my 5-year-old, who is learning to read."

Davis' oldest daughter, 9-year-old Charlotte, got hooked right away on a video book.

"I think it's really cool," she said. "I like the video because it's kind of like watching a movie."

Contact Juan Antonio Lizama at (804) 649-6513 or .