Devices like Kindle and Nook have obvious benefits, but using them can be a challenge if you're not tech-savvy.
"It's a little stressful trying to get it to work," Allen Swab said of his Kindle Fire.
In what initially might look like a conflict of interest, the Erie County Library offers classes, to teach people how to use e-readers.
That's because they've expanded their own collection, to fit the changing technology.
"The eBooks that we offer...started off a little bit slow, and then we found out that with holiday sales and popularity we're getting a lot more demand for the eBooks," said Andrew Miller, a reference librarian at the Blasco Library. "We've really started to ramp up buying them."
The classes go through the relatively simple process of signing up for the library's e-borrowing service.
"All you need is your library card... and you can check out our books," said Miller. You just have to download an app.
The county's e-library boasts over 3600 books, and it's still growing. It's not making paper books obsolete, but it's impossible to deny the convenience of an e-reader.
"You don't have to go out in this inclement weather...to get books," said Vickie Hopkins, who attended the class with her husband and their Kindle Fire.
"They're buying more and more ebooks so it will be easier to find the good titles," Nanci Lorei said of the e-library. She does her reading with an iPad.
"It's easier to access, especially with the 24 hour feature," said Swab.
Local readers said they'll still supplement their e-reading with traditional books.
"I still enjoy folding the pages over, because I might read two or three at a time," Swab said.
"I'm a big fan of regular books," said Miller, who helps teach the class. Even though he helps people learn how to use e-readers, he still doesn't own one himself.
To enroll in future classes, or if you just want more information on the county's e-library system, click here.
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