Demand for electronic classes has increased at local libraries since the holidays and libraries in Charlotte and Sarasota counties are trying to help residents keep up with the times by offering basic courses.

“We get five to 10 requests a day now since Christmas (for e-reader assistance),” said Deirdre Morrow, a reference librarian at Elsie Quirk Library in Englewood.

Pamela Burch, a librarian at the North Port Library, said teaching people how to use an e-reader is similar to teaching them how to ride a bicycle.

“When you learn how to do it, you got it,” Burch said.

Charlotte County libraries have access to four electronic book devices: Nook, Kindle, iOS (iPad/iPhone) and Android tablets. Library patrons are bringing them in to the library along with their own instructions, said Anne Shepherd, Charlotte County division manager of libraries and history.

“If someone needs help at a reference desk, we do everything we can to help,” Shepherd said.

Library patrons who need the most help are the ones who have recently received gifts of e-readers.

“Those tend to be the same people who may not understand the basics for the technology like the need for a credit card,” she said.

While library staff was initially unprepared, many adapted to the new technology by owning devices themselves.

“We’re used to e-readers since we’ve been seeing them for four years,” Shepherd said.

Before, libraries got about three or four inquiries a week, Shepherd said, but it’s picked up since Christmas.

Shepherd fields inquiries about e-reader classes.

“We like to hear from people what they want,” she said. “Do they want more general or advanced classes?”

Charlotte County does not have its own e-book library, but residents can access 20,000 e-books circulating from the state of Florida. Charlotte residents also have reciprocal access to Lee and Sarasota counties’ e-book libraries when they sign up for library cards.

“We haven’t been able to afford a platform for e-books,” Shepherd said. “We may have one this year.”

Physical books take up 80 percent of circulation, she said, but priorities in the county are geared towards computer use.

“Our biggest demands are laptop space, plugs to charge devices and public computers,” she said. “We averaged about 9,000 a month of those who used our public computers. Last year we had a total of 119,758 use our computers. We’re working with the state of Florida to expand our bandwidth.”

The Punta Gorda Library, 424 W. Henry St., will offer e-reader classes at 9 a.m. Feb. 1, March 1 and April 5; and at 6 p.m. Feb. 28, March 28 and April 25. For more information, call 941-613-3200.

For more information about Charlotte County libraries’ digital resources, go to www.charlottecountyfl.com/library.

Email: tchang@sun-herald.com