More than 5,000 electronic books have been added to Austin Public Library's catalog.

The e-books are part of 8,500 copyrighted and public domain books purchased by Metronet, the South Dakota Library and the National American University, thus making the books available to residents in the Dakotas and Minnesota.

The 5,000 titles added to the catalog can be accessed from any computer through NetLibrary by those who have a library card.

"It's sleek thing because it's like the real book, but it's in the computer," Librarian Maggie Snow said.

An e-book can refer patrons to materials such as reference books, textbooks and research materials that have been converted into digital format for distribution. The pagination, pictures and any other features of the actual book are all the same in the e-book, Snow said.

Two ways of finding e-books in the catalog are either by specifically looking for them or simply conducting a regular book search. The search results will indicate if the book is a hard copy or an electronic one. Once the specific book is found, a person can browse it using the tool palette or check it out, which will then be stored under the person's account.

The check-out period is for three days and once the book is due, the computer will automatically check the book back into the library so there are no overdue fines.

For information on e-books, call 433-2391.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com