Oprah Loves Kindles

Back in February this year, I wrote about amazon.com's Kindle, a portable device that wirelessly downloads books, blogs, magazines and newspapers.

Kindles use e-ink technology that its creators say is as crisp and clear as your daily newspaper.

Well, last week, the Kindle received a real promotional boost when Oprah Winfrey endorsed its as her new favorate gadget.

Now, her endorsement is paying off for consumers. According to Wired.com, as a result of her on-air promotion, amazon.com is taking $50 off the $359 list price if you place your order by November 1 and enter the promotional code OPRAHWINFREY.

Perhaps one will be waiting under the Christmas tree for you this year.

Economy Falls - Library Use Increases

Librarians all know that when the economy falls, library use increases. For the year, we had been seeing about a 5% increase in the number of items borrowed from Cumberland County's public libraries.

However, when I took a look at the numbers today, even I was astonished.

In September 2008, the number of items borrowed from Cumberland County's public libraries increased 14% from the previous year.

That's the single highest monthly increase that I've ever seen in my 16 years on the job.

I don't know of a clearer indicator of what is happening in our community than that.