Do you read me? A guide to shopping for an e-reader or tablet

Looking to take your reading experience to the next level? E-readers and tablets may have an edge over traditional books for those who like to travel, adjust text size or access new books without even changing out of their pajamas.

"We see more and more (e-readers) all the time," says Elizabeth Phillips, adult services coordinator at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. "There are a lot of benefits, certainly for seniors -- they can increase the size of the text so they're not limited only to what we have available in large print. You can read any book and change the font size."

With many book titles available in both print and digital formats, you may not have to wait as long to get a book that's in high demand. There are even some titles available exclusively as e-books, says Phillips, such as novellas and series.

E-readers are also great for traveling, she says: "Instead of having to pack books, which get heavy and take up room in your suitcase, you can have hundreds of books on one e-reader, which is a great benefit when traveling."

When you check out an e-book from the library, she adds, the book will automatically be returned on its due date, so you don't have to worry about late fees or making a special trip to the library.

Cutline-File Credit:Elizabeth A. Phillips helps a patron with her e-book at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. (Laura Simon)

Elizabeth A. Phillips helps a patron with her e-book at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. (Laura Simon)

Meanwhile, at Riverside Regional Library in Jackson, library director Jeff Trinkle says cardholders have access to more than 1,000 e-books, plus e-audio books and a software called Bleo, which can turn e-book text into spoken format.

"Bleo-compatible books have a text to speech function, so even if your book is not an audio book, you can use Bleo to turn the text into speech," Trinkle explains.

Are you tempted to try an e-reader or tablet but not sure where to start?

Phillips says the first thing to consider is how you plan to use your device. There are two basic classes of e-readers, she explains -- E-ink readers and tablets -- and one big difference is the way they look.

"E-ink readers are not lit, or if they are lit, they're front-lit and they're easier on your eyes," she says. "If you get eye strain from staring at a computer screen, it's the same with a tablet. But e-ink readers are designed for reading."

Elizabeth A. Phillips helps a patron with her E-Book, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2014, at the Cape Girardeau Public Library. (Laura Simon)

The Kindle Paperwhite and NOOK GlowLight are examples of e-ink readers.

Tablets, on the other hand, are backlit and appropriate for more than just reading. Tablets also can be used for games, email, browsing the Internet, watching movies and more. The Kindle Fire and Apple iPad are examples of tablets, and there are a number of Samsung tablets on the market as well.

If you already own an e-reader or tablet and just can't figure it out, library staffers are happy to help.

"People are coming in not just with reading and research questions, but questions about how to operate their device," says Trinkle. Riverside Regional Library offers computer classes at branches throughout Southeast Missouri, and staff can also help patrons learn to use their tablets and e-readers, check out e-books, use Bleo and more.

At the Cape Girardeau Public Library, Phillips invites patrons to stop by the information desk with questions, or call ahead for a more in-depth, one-on-one training session tailored to their specific device.