Access to eBooks and audiobooks is getting a boost at Stanislaus County Libraries, through the Palace Project app. The new app will combine titles in the current cloudLibrary collection with a statewide collection of thousands of books in the Palace app, and shared access to collections from other California Libraries.

“This is fantastic,” said Sarah Dentan, Stanislaus County Library Director. “We’re so excited to offer expanded access to eBooks and audiobooks, which has been somewhat limited.”

The Palace Project is a non-profit, library-centered platform and ereader app that combines access to multiple collections through a single app. In addition, the Palace Project negotiates directly with publishers to offer flexible licensing on materials purchased through the Palace Marketplace. The Stanislaus County Library will expand the local collection of eBooks and audiobooks with Palace Marketplace purchases, maintaining a robust local collection. This is important, because local library customers have priority access to materials owned by their own local library.

January is the official kickoff of the Palace Project in Stanislaus County, but readers are invited to download the Palace Project app and begin using it now. A valid Stanislaus County Library card is required to complete the setup, so those without a library card should visit www.stanislauslibrary.org to apply for a digital services library card first. Applications are generally processed within 48 to 72 hours. Or, visit in person for a full-service library card.

The Palace Project was established with a $5 million investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with the goal of fostering informed and engaged communities, believed to be essential for a healthy democracy. The foundation invests in journalism, the arts, and the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. The Palace Project is expanding rapidly and currently onboarding libraries in 11 states, with new libraries signing on each week.

Also in January, residents are invited to attend ‘A True Crime Event’ on Friday, Jan. 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Modesto Library. At this special after-hours event, the mysterious circumstances surrounding Edgar Allan Poe’s death will be discussed, as will multiple theories. Event participants will vote for the theory they think explains the death of the Master of the Macabre, Edgar Allan Poe.

Advance registration is required. Interested parties should go to the library calendar at www.stanislauslibrary.org (under the Events and Classes tab) for the link to register. The audience will be polled about what they think happened to Poe, using the Kahoot! app. Participants are asked to download the free app on their smart devices prior to the event.

For more information, call 209-558-7814.