Naputi: Try eBooks while JKPL is under repair

Celina Foreman, left, gives instruction to participants before performing an exercise inside the Children of our Homeland section in one of the events held at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library early this year. (Jon Perez)

Joeten-Kiyu Public Library acting director Erlinda Naputi is encouraging their avid visitors to try their eBooks while the facility is closed beginning this Saturday, July 23, for renovation and other repairs. All eBook access will be free to those who have Android or Apple devices.

The library will be closed for one week from July 23 to July 30, Saturday, and will reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 2, just in time for the opening of the 2016-2017 school year. Naputi said all materials due within the period would be extended to the following week with no fines.

She added that a staff would be assigned outside the library the entire week it is closed to assist those who would avail of their free eBook service. “We want the parents to take advantage of this free service. They can get the login and password from one of our staff.”

Naputi said they offered the free eBook service to avoid reading loss when they close the library for one whole week this summer. “To avoid reading loss during our closure, we invite the community to try our eBook service.”

“All they have to do is to ask any JKPL staff to pick up the code and pin courtesy of First Book, which is transforming the lives of children in need by elevating the quality of education by making new and high quality books,” added Naputi.

She said their open eBook collection is for pre-Kindergarten to grade 12 where elementary kids can choose from a wide variety of engaging and age appropriate titles. “[It] gives children, their caregivers, and teens instant access to thousands of popular and engaging titles.”

“Students and their families can instantly download up to 10 eBooks at a time to a mobile digital device. Each eBook will be available for 56 days before it must be renewed,” said Naputi, who added that free access codes and pins are now available.

Those who want to avail of the eBooks must have a library card that are clear of fines and other fees. For more information, call 235-7322 to 23 and 235-7315.

JKPL renovation
Naputi said the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation appropriated $50,000 to fund the repair of the library. Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao (Ind.-Saipan) authored House Bill 19-37 that became Saipan Local Law 19-11.

“We’ve done the repair slowly but now we have to close the library. It will be only for just one week and the repairs being done is for us to serve the community better,” said Naputi.

Additional tables will be placed at the circulation corner to make it compliant on the American Disabilities Act. Naputi said they would put lower tables so people with disabilities could easily access the section. “We need to also accommodate people with disabilities.”

The Pacific Room will be re-carpeted and will change places with Information Technology Center. The staff and public restrooms will also be repaired.

Naputi added that three railings on the ramp had already been installed, while they also put a ramp in the middle of the stairs. Volunteers repainted the library for their community service.

Promos, new items
The JKPL also listed 482 new items with Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon, Apocalypse Meow Meow, Peter and the Starcatchers, Daughters of the Island, The Guide to Basket Weaving, Brothers in Blood, Maori Tattooing, Eat to Beat High Blood Pressure, The Daybook of Saints, and Teaching Motor Skills to Children among the recommended books. They also have the movie Mortal Kombat (DVD) and new magazine issues.

They also have an ongoing book sale where you get five books free if you buy 10. Paperback, soft cover, and hardbound nonfiction books are .25 cents each, while hardback fiction books are .75 cents. CDs are .50 cents while DVDs are $1 apiece.