August 1, 2019

CONTACT:
Deborah Hakes, Georgia Public Library Service, dhakes@georgialibraries.org

New children’s digital library available at all Georgia public libraries

The eRead Kids digital library for kids in pre K to fourth grade features almost 15,000 electronic and audio books. It is available through all public libraries in the state.

Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) is proud to offer eRead Kids, a new digital library available through all 407 public libraries in the state beginning Aug. 1. The collection of almost 15,000 electronic and audio books is for children from pre-K through fourth grade. “We know that kids will build confidence and reading skills – and have fun – through eRead Kids,” said State Librarian Julie Walker. “eRead Kids will empower libraries to support young readers by offering a format convenient for traveling and entertaining kids, while growing their reading skills.”

The collection is a mix of fiction and nonfiction ebook and e-audio book titles that can be downloaded onto computers, tablets and smartphones. Georgia families now can freely check out electronic books, encouraging the early reading that is so important to educational success. GPLS has worked with children’s librarians to identify the most advantageous offerings and pricing. eRead Kids is made possible by funding proposed by Gov. Brian Kemp and approved by the Georgia General Assembly. “We strive to create programs that can be shared by all of our libraries, urban and rural, large and small. We can create economies of scale by leveraging our buying power for materials and services for statewide use,” said Walker.

All you need is your public library card to access eRead Kids, which provides free access to nearly 15,000 digital books to encourage early literacy.

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About the Georgia Public Library Service

The Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) empowers libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians by encouraging reading, literacy, and education through the continuing support and improvement of our public libraries. GPLS is a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. www.georgialibraries.org #georgialibraries