In response to a growing trend of electronic readers, the Bethlehem Area Public Library is offering free downloads of eBooks and audiobooks.

The library will officially launch the service at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Patrons will be able to download reading materials directly from the library's website. The service is free with a library card, according to a news release.



The collection includes hundreds of popular fiction and non-fiction titles, including children's and teen materials. The new service is a joint venture of Bethlehem Area Public Library, Nazareth Memorial Library, Northampton Area Public Library and Hellertown Area Library.

Dan Solove, the library's head of acquisitions, library systems and technology says in addition to the shared collection, the library will acquire an extensive assortment of eBooks, called the Advantage Collection, which will be exclusively offered to library patrons who reside in Bethlehem, Fountain Hill, Freemansburg and Bethlehem, Hanover (Northampton Co.) and Lower Saucon townships.

The process is simple: browse the library's website, check out with a valid library card and download to a computer or mobile device. Instructions are provided for users to install free software to listen to audiobooks and read eBooks. Titles can be enjoyed immediately or transferred to a variety of devices, such as iPod, Sony Reader and Nook. Some audio titles can also be burned to CD.

Titles will automatically expire at the end of the two week lending period. There are no late fees.