PASO ROBLES, CA – The Paso Robles City Library is pleased to offer access to the National Emergency Library as part of their eLibrary offerings. The non-profit organization, Internet Archive, has created this resource to provide digitized books to students and the public, and has suspended wait lists for the 1.4 million (and growing) books in its lending library. This suspension will run through June 30, 2020, or the end of the US national emergency, whichever is later.
"The library system, because of our national emergency, is coming to aid those that are forced to learn at home," said Brewster Kahle, Digital Librarian of the Internet Archive. "This was our dream for the original Internet coming to life: the Library at everyone’s fingertips." During the wait list suspension, users will be able to borrow books from the National Emergency Library without joining a wait list, ensuring that students will have access to assigned readings and library materials that the Internet Archive has digitized for the remainder of the US academic calendar, and that people who cannot physically access their local libraries because of closure or self-quarantine can continue to read and thrive during this time of crisis, keeping themselves and others safe. This library brings together all the books from Phillips Academy Andover and Marygrove College, and much of Trent University’s collections, along with over a million other books donated from other libraries. The Internet Archive also offers free public access to 2.5 million fully downloadable public domain books, which do not require wait lists to view.
Adds Adult Services Librarian Karen Christiansen, "The library is happy to maximize our quality eMaterials collection by providing an easy link to this great resource!"
In addition, Paso Robles Library card holders are encouraged to make use of the library’s extensive digital resources. Visit www.prcity.com for access to such free downloadable materials as books, movies, magazines, learning tools, and databases. For those without a current library account wishing to access digital resources, eCards are available (for ages 13 and up) through the Black Gold Cooperative Library System. Visit https://www.blackgold.org for eCard information and registration.
Library staff is on hand to answer account inquiries Monday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm. Call 805-237-3870.
Media Contact: Karen Christiansen
Title: Adult Services Librarian
Phone: 805.237.3870
Email: kchristiansen@prcity.com