Denver Public Library: Hooking you up with downloadable movies, audiobooks and eBooks

If you're stuck at home, poor and bored, the Denver Public Library has got you covered. Forget going into the library for your fix of books and movies -- that's so 20th century. Thanks to the digital revolution, these days there's no reason to leave the couch, much less the...

By Cory Casciato

August 14, 2009

Audio By Carbonatix

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            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
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            "name": "Editor Picks",
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            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
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          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
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            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
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If you're stuck at home, poor and bored, the Denver Public Library has got you covered. Forget going into the library for your fix of books and movies -- that's so 20th century. Thanks to the digital revolution, these days there's no reason to leave the couch, much less the house. And while the lawless hordes have been enjoying free downloads forever, us law-abiding types have lagged a little behind. No more.

All you need to get going is a library card, a decent computer and an Internet connection. Visit the DPL's downloadable media Quick Start guide, install some software and get started. There are eBooks (mostly PDF, compatible with many eBook readers apparently), audiobooks and movies available. The selection is somewhat limited, but come on -- it is free. I was able to find enough gems to keep me busy for a while, including Short Circuit, the 1986 Ally Sheedy comedy about a robot who accidentally gains self-awareness and sentience, which I find strangely appropriate for such a futuristic activity as downloading movies from the library.

You can also find some genuine classics of literature (the One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest eBook!) and film (like Federico Fellini's 8 1/2) and keep the files for a week (movies) to three weeks (eBooks). The downloads are relatively fast and the digital rights management software seems fairly benign. Now, if you'll excuse me I have to watch the lovable Fisher Stevens help Johnny 5 escape the U.S. military's evil clutches....

Cory Casciato is a Denver-based writer with a passion for the geeky, from old science fiction movies to brand-new video games.

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