Using one of the computers in the North Bend Public Library, Gary Sharp talks about the Web site where Coos County library patrons can go to download movies, audio books or other multimedia titles. Sharp is the library’s director. -World Photo by Lou Sennick

NORTH BEND — Patrons of Coos County libraries can now enjoy their selections on the road, at home, or even while working out.

The Library2Go program,  rolled out in all Coos County libraries this month, allows people to download audio books and videos on personal computers and MP3 players.

At the North Bend Public Library — one of eight public libraries in the Coos County Library Service District — library services Director Gary Sharp is excited about the new offering because it gives people one more way to use the library 24/7 without leaving their homes.

“It’s another way for the library to deliver services to the public ... beyond our own walls, whether the library is open or not,” Sharp said Tuesday.

Library2Go is free and available to all library card holders who are in good standing. People with fines of $5 or more must pay their fees before downloading. Access to the program is through one’s library card number.

Wireless devices such as blackberries, as well as personal computers and MP3 players can be used to download the information.

“It’s a very similar experience to going to Amazon,” Sharp said “If it’s available, then you can download it right then.”

Additionally, some of the materials can be burned onto CDs as long as there are no copyright restrictions. Each listing indicates whether this option is available.

“Mainly, it’s something we think that will be liked and well-used by anybody that really enjoys listening to books-on-tape or books-on-CD,” Sharp said.

Offerings include children’s books and videos, as well as a wide variety of audio books for adults and young adults, along with documentaries and PBS films.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 3,895 audio books and 1,289 videos were available through the program, and more are added being all the time, said Coos Bay Library Director Carol Ventgen. She added that 61 users in the county are accessing Library2Go and have checked out 117 items.

“Everything’s been going very smoothly,” Ventgen said. “I think it’s great. People want to listen to their books while doing other things around the house or while they’re on the go.”

Moving toward more digital offerings is an important step for Coos County libraries, Ventgen said, because they need to respond to the needs and desires of the public they serve.

“As library use changes, we need to change with it,” Ventgen said. “It’s a different way of using the library’s resources.”

But that doesn’t mean the traditional library format will go Jurassic. Ventgen doesn’t think it will replace the experience of visiting a library, and people who visit the Web site will learn of other services and be more likely to go to the facility.

“It makes books and reading and viewing available to more people, I believe,” Ventgen said. “People who can’t get to the library, are too busy, live too far away, they want to use the computer on their desk to get reading or viewing materials.”

Library2Go is not a new service. In fact, the Coos County Library Service District has been aware of the program for about two years, but didn’t have the money to buy into the program until recently, said Mary Jane Fisher, the director of the extended services office for the countywide district.

About a year ago, district librarians began meeting to discuss the future of Coos County public libraries. One part of their vision was to provide more electronic materials to readers. The library Web site already offered a genealogy database, electronic journals, and electronic automotive repair manuals, but no audio books, especially ones that could be downloaded onto a handheld player.

“The committee decided that was our No.1 priority for this last year,” Fisher said. “Up until now we haven’t had that available to the public.”

After extensive research, the committee decided Library2Go was the best product to purchase. It cost about $8,000, she noted.

“We felt it was time,” Fisher said.

Sharp, Ventgen and Fisher said not that many people are aware of the new program yet, but they expect more users to start clicking soon.

“Once the public realizes we have this, I think it will be very popular,” Sharp said.